Modulation of plasma metalloproteinase-9 concentrations and peripheral blood monocyte mRNA levels in patients with septic shock: effect of fiber-immobilized polymyxin B treatment.

The authors measured plasma metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and corresponding monocyte mRNA in 20 patients with septic shock. Plasma MMP-9 concentrations and monocyte MMP-9 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the 10 nonsurviving patients with septic shock than in 10 surviving patients and 25 normal controls. Hemoperfusion using polymyxin B immobilized on fibers (PMX-F), a reportedly effective treatment for septic shock, was studied for effects on MMP-9 in the patients. Increases in plasma MMP-9 concentrations and corresponding monocyte mRNA levels were attenuated significantly by PMX-F treatment in both nonsurviving and surviving patients. These data suggest that plasma MMP-9 concentrations and monocyte MMP-9 mRNA levels may be useful prognostic markers in septic shock, and that PMX-F treatment affects MMP-9.