J Trauma
-
Delivery of a high ratio of plasma to packed red blood cells to patients who require massive transfusion is associated with improved survival. Hemorrhagic shock causes increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These are associated with late morbidity and mortality. The use of fresh frozen plasma makes high ratio resuscitation logistically difficult and does not address dysfunctional inflammation. Lyophilized plasma (LP) is a stable powdered form of plasma that is both safe and easily reconstituted. Previous work demonstrated that LP reconstituted with ascorbic acid (AA) decreased inflammation. Whether the reduction of inflammation was associated with LP or the AA is unknown. ⋯ In this animal model of trauma, hemorrhage and resuscitation, AA decreases IL-6 expression relative to CA and HCl. These findings confirm previous work from our laboratory and suggest that AA is responsible for suppression of dysfunctional inflammation in this model.
-
Biliary leak after severe hepatic trauma is a complex problem requiring multidisciplinary care. We report on our experience with endoscopic management of posttraumatic bile leaks and clarify the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). ⋯ ERCP is useful as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the safe treatment of biliary ductal injuries after severe liver trauma and should be part of a multidisciplinary treatment algorithm.
-
Laboratory studies demonstrate gender dimorphism following trauma/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS). These differences have been attributed to estrogen (E2) levels. Maintenance of gut barrier function by E2 following T/HS has been recently described. However, the mechanisms are not clear. The principle humoral defense mechanism of the gut is provided by secretory immunoglobulin IgA. It is transported across intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) by a specific transmembrane protein receptor (polyimmunoglobulin receptor, pIgR). Transport of IgA (transcytosis) may be influenced by a number of factors. We postulated that there may be differences in IgA transcytosis and IEC pIgR expression in response to sex hormones. We studied this in vitro. ⋯ IgA transcytosis was augmented by E2 in a dose-response fashion. This effect was due to augmented intracellular trafficking of IgA and later partly due to increased pIgR expression. The dose-related effects of E2 on IgA transport confirm the findings in animal studies that improved outcomes in females can be related to the estrus cycle.