[Expression of heat shock protein 72 in leukocytes from patients with acute trauma and its relationship with survival].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of heat shock protein 72 (HSP 72) in leukocytes of patients with acute trauma, and evaluate its relationship with survival.
METHODS: Thirty acute trauma patients with acute physiology and chronic health evaluation III (APACHE III) > or = 18 were included as study subjects. Blood samples were serially obtained at three time points: days 0-1, days 2-6 and days 7-14 after the trauma. Expression of HSP72 was assessed with immunohistochemistry, and the expression of HSP72 mRNA was assessed with semi-quantified reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the relationship between their levels and the survival rate (survival period > 2 months) was analyzed.
RESULTS: The expression of HSP72 was significantly enhanced on post-trauma days 2-6. The levels of HSP72 in the survivor groups were higher than that in non-survivors.
CONCLUSION: The study suggests that acute trauma can lead to a marked elevation of HSP72, and its peak level appears on days 2-6, which might be correlated with 2-month survival of the afflicted patients.