Studies on the cell markers of endothelial function in sepsis

Abstract

To study the phasic changes of the number of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) and endothelial microparticles (EMP) during the process of sepsis. Thirty-one patients with sepsis were divided into mild group (<9), moderate group (9-15) and severe group (>15) according to the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) scores after onset, and each group was further divided into survivors and non-survivors.The level of CEC, EMP and pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined on 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 days after onset. (1)The level of EMP, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in the severe group were significantly higher than the mild group and moderate group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The number of CEC in the severe group was significantly lower than the mild group and moderate group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (2)The levels of CEC, EMP in the non-survivor and the survivor group were significantly higher with sepsis increased significantly; and the levels of EMP, pro-inflammatory in the non-survivor group were significantly higher than those of the survivor group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but the levels of CEC, IL-4 and IL-10 in non-survivors were significantly lower than the survivors (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The levels of CEC and EMP in patients with sepsis increased significantly. They can not only serve as an index to reflect the severity of sepsis, but also have a prognostic value in patients with sepsis.