Multicenter study for brain/body hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: Changes in HMGB-1

Background We measured changes in the blood levels of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) at 24-hour intervals in neonates treated with brain/body hypothermia (BHT) for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), to evaluate the usefulness of HMGB-1 levels for determining outcomes. Methods We studied 15 neonates with HIE who underwent BHT (BHT (+) group) and 6 neonates with HIE who did not (BHT (-) group). We recorded HMGB-1 changes at 24-hour intervals, creatinine phosphokinase (CK), and the resistance index of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA-RI). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed for short-term outcome determination. Result Baseline HMGB-1 levels were significantly higher in the BHT (+) group than in the BHT (-) group. Thereafter, HMGB-1 levels in the BHT (+) group decreased significantly at 24-hour intervals, reaching the reference range by 2 days of age. In the BHT (+) group, comparisons of patients with and without disorder according to MRI findings revealed higher HMGB-1 levels in patients with disorder. Conclusions This study revealed differences in HMGB-1 changes in the presence/absence of BHT for HIE, suggesting that HMGB-1 measurements soon after birth might be useful for determining BHT necessity and short-term outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.