Different pattern of local and systemic release of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators in severely injured patients with chest trauma.

Background: Excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines has been involved in pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Design: Since injured patients with chest trauma reveal a high risk for posttraumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome, local and systemic release of proinflammatory cytokines and their naturally occurring inhibitors were determined in the early posttraumatic period.
Materials and Methods: Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators were measured in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 16 patients with multiple injuries including severe chest injury (Injury Severity Score of 34.4 +/- 2.3 points) and compared with healthy volunteers (n = 17).
Results: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was detectable neither in plasma nor in BALF. Interleukin-1beta and interleukin-8 were significantly increased in BALF from injured patients, while plasma levels were similar in both groups. Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors p55 and p75 and interleukin-1ra were markedly elevated in plasma (p < or = 0.01) and BALF (p < or = 0.001) from injured patients compared with controls.
Conclusion: Highly increased concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in BALF, but not in circulation, indicate a strong local inflammatory response early after multiple injuries combined with chest injury rather than severe systemic inflammation. In contrast, anti-inflammatory mechanisms seem to be activated locally and systemically.