Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels after trauma

Abstract

To investigate the levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and their correlation with each other and with severity of organ damage in patients with trauma, 35 patients with trauma and 20 healthy volunteers serving as controls were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken on admission (within 6 hours after injury), as well as at 24 h, and 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after trauma. The levels of sICAM-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in patients with trauma than in the control group. Changes of serum IL-6, TNF-α and sICAM levels were significantly correlated with changes of blood serum GPT, CK, LDH, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in patients with trauma. Significant positive correlations between sICAM-1 and TNF-α were found at 24 h, and at 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after the trauma (r = 0.59, 0.75, 0.83, 0.49, 0.68, respectively; all p < 0.001). These data show that sICAM-1, IL-6, and TNF-α increase in patients with trauma, and that these soluble markers can be useful markers for evaluating the severity of trauma.