BACKGROUND: Recent trials utilizing single anticytokine agents have shown no consistent survival benefit in improving the outcome of sepsis. Since an entire cascade of mediators contributes to the underlying pathophysiology, it is not surprising that monotherapy has proven unsuccessful. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of attenuating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha early in sepsis. METHODS: Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. All animals were infused with live Escherichia coli, with group I and group II rats additionally receiving a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. Serum levels of TNFalpha, interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) were compared. RESULTS: TNFalpha showed a significant decrease, yet IL-6, MDA, and LOOH (markers of sepsis) levels remained abnormally elevated. CONCLUSION: Despite significantly attenuating TNFalpha, the septic response continued. This supports the concept that in sepsis, monotherapy directed at attenuating a single cytokine cannot overcome the tissue-damaging effects of an entire cascade of mediators.
BACKGROUND: Recent trials utilizing single anticytokine agents have shown no consistent survival benefit in improving the outcome of sepsis. Since an entire cascade of mediators contributes to the underlying pathophysiology, it is not surprising that monotherapy has proven unsuccessful. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of attenuating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha early in sepsis. METHODS: Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. All animals were infused with live Escherichia coli, with group I and group II rats additionally receiving a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. Serum levels of TNFalpha, interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) were compared. RESULTS:TNFalpha showed a significant decrease, yet IL-6, MDA, and LOOH (markers of sepsis) levels remained abnormally elevated. CONCLUSION: Despite significantly attenuating TNFalpha, the septic response continued. This supports the concept that in sepsis, monotherapy directed at attenuating a single cytokine cannot overcome the tissue-damaging effects of an entire cascade of mediators.