Immunomodulation of neutrophil–endothelial interaction by inotropes.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the inotropes epinephrine, dopamine and dobutamine on expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and on neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells under dynamic conditions.

Methods: Endothelial cells were obtained by collagenase digestion of human umbilical cord veins.Endothelial monolayers were pre-incubated with one of the chosen inotropes, with or without butoxamine, and exposed to interleukin-1.

Changes in HDL-associated apolipoproteins relate to mortality in human sepsis and correlate to monocyte and platelet activation.

Objective: Lipoproteins modulate vascular cell function in inflammation. In this study, we analyzed whether plasma concentrations of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in human sepsis are related to patient survival and the activation of blood monocytes and platelets.

Design: Observational study.

[Epidemiology of severe sepsis at a German university hospital].

Background And Purpose: Sepsis still represents a major medical challenge despite several advances in therapy. Most published data on sepsis have been derived from clinical trials evaluating new drugs and from international cohort studies. The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors, mortality and causative pathogens in a cohort of unselected patients with severe sepsis at a German university hospital and to compare the data with international cohorts and recently published therapeutic trials.

Anaesthetic sensitivity of fMLP-induced cell signalling in Xenopus oocytes.

FMLP stimulation of Xenopus oocytes expressing fMLP receptors leads to a concentration-dependent biphasic inward current. To identify the evolution of these currents we have examined the effects of blocking various cell signalling pathways. In addition we have analysed the effects of three intravenous anaesthetics on these fMLP-induced currents.

Mild hyperthermia down-regulates receptor-dependent neutrophil function.

Mild hypothermia impairs resistance to infection and, reportedly, impairs phagocytosis and oxidative killing of unopsonized bacteria. We evaluated various functions at 33 degrees-41 degrees C in neutrophils taken from volunteers. Adhesion on endothelial cells was determined using light microscopy.

Differential effects of clindamycin on neutrophils of healthy donors and septic patients.

Antibiotics are frequently administered to ICU patients in case of bacterial infections. Little is known, however, about the interference of antibiotics with neutrophil host defence mechanisms in patients with sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). With our study, evidence for differential clindamycin effects on neutrophils in healthy donors and septic patients without or with MODS was sought.

Plasma ceramide and lysophosphatidylcholine inversely correlate with mortality in sepsis patients.

Recent data indicate that ceramide (Cer) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) regulate immune cell functions. Since these bioactive lipids are generated in blood plasma by inflammatory lipases, we hypothesized that they may be involved in the process of acute systemic sepsis. In order to provide support for this hypothesis, we analyzed the plasma levels of Cer and LPC by quantitative tandem mass spectrometry in 102 sepsis patients starting with the day at which the sepsis criteria were fulfilled for the first time, as well as on day 4 and day 11.

Characterization of the human fMLP receptor in neutrophils and in Xenopus oocytes.

1. N-formyl peptides (e.g.