Impact of albumin synthesis rate and the acute phase response in the dual regulation of fibrinogen levels in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Fibrinogen is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It also is an acute phase protein (APP) and its plasma concentration increases with inflammation. Fibrinogen synthesis correlates with albumin synthesis in nephrotic patients and in patients with an expanded plasma volume even when serum albumin is normal and there is no inflammatory disease. The relationships among albumin synthesis, the acute phase response and plasma fibrinogen levels in hemodialysis patients are unknown. METHODS: In 74 hemodialysis patients, albumin synthesis, plasma volume (PV) and acute phase proteins (APPs) C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha1 acid glycoprotein (alpha1 AG), ceruloplasmin (Cer), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured in serum and fibrinogen in plasma, and the results analyzed by multiple regression analysis. CRP, IL-6, alpha1 AG, Cer and fibrinogen were measured monthly, which enabled us to determine whether changes in these APPs correlated with the levels of and variability in plasma fibrinogen over time using a longitudinal modeling approach. Length of follow-up for the 74 patients ranged from 3.25 to 67.5 months. RESULTS: Baseline fibrinogen (548.6 +/- 106. 4 mg/dL) was significantly greater than levels reported for normal adults and correlated positively with albumin synthesis (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001) and log CRP (P = 0.002) and negatively with PV (P < 0.001). Longitudinally, fibrinogen varied positively with long-lived APPs, Cer and alpha1 AG, as well as the short-lived APP, CRP. CONCLUSION: Plasma fibrinogen concentration is high in HD patients and directly correlates with increased albumin synthesis rates and the serum levels of APPs. Fibrinogen levels also correlate negatively with PV. Fibrinogen levels vary over time in synchrony with levels of other long-lived APPs, supporting the hypothesis that fibrinogen is regulated in part as a component of the acute phase response and in part by factors that increase albumin synthesis.     

Minimal access surgery for cholelithiasis induces an attenuated acute phase response.

BACKGROUND: Some benefits of laparoscopic (LC) and minilaparotomy (MC) cholecystectomy may reflect attenuation of the acute phase response. The authors examined components of this response. METHODS: Patients were randomized to LC (n = 11) or MC (n = 11). C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), retinol-binding protein (RBP), transferrin, and albumin were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 2, 4, and 7. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) were measured more frequently perioperatively. Peak expiratory flow rate, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and forced vital capacity were measured daily. RESULTS: The IL-6 increase was more persistent and marked in the MC patients from hour 8 to day 7 postoperatively (P < 0.05). Alterations in CRP, AAT, and albumin were similar. Postoperative deficits of respiratory function correlated with the magnitude of acute phase protein alteration. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal access surgery induces an acute phase response that is less prominent after a laparoscopic technique.     

Association of low preoperative serum albumin concentrations and the acute phase response.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of a preoperative acute phase response and its association with low albumin concentrations. DESIGN: Prospective open study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Germany. SUBJECTS: 225 patients who were to undergo major abdominal operations, and who had no acute infections. INTERVENTIONS: Measurements of serum concentrations of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1 antitrypsin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS: Abnormal concentrations of acute phase proteins (indicating an acute phase response) were detected in 43 of 225 patients (19%). The mean (SD) albumin concentration in these patients (35[5]g/L) was lower than that of patients who did not mount an acute phase response preoperatively (40[5]g/L). High concentrations of CRP (> or =60mg/L) were associated with low albumin concentrations (33[5]g/L); high alpha-1 antitrypsin concentrations (> or =4.0g/L) were associated with low albumin concentrations (34[6]g/L); and high IL-6 concentrations (> or =4pg/ml) were associated with low albumin concentrations (37[6]g/L) compared with a mean(SD) albumin concentration of 40(5)g/L in patients who had no evidence of an acute phase response. CONCLUSION: A metabolic response to disease referred to as an acute phase response may explain low preoperative albumin concentrations. This association interferes with the association of low preoperative albumin concentrations and malnutrition. It is a new aspect of preoperative risk evaluation and may indicate a potential for prevention.     

Systemic acute-phase response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are the main mediators of inflammation and the response to trauma. The purpose of this study was to compare variations in cytokine levels following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy (OC), since these two types of operations were considered to be a unique model for examining the role of local tissue injury in postoperative inflammatory reactions. METHODS: A total of 40 patients were studied. Eighteen of them underwent LC; the remaining 22 were operated on using the open technique. Systemic concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before and after the operation. In addition, we compared pre- and postoperative white blood cell (WBC) counts, postoperative body temperature, and length of postoperative hospitalization. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups in IL-1 and TNF response. The rise in plasma IL-6 levels (18.86 +/- 9.61 vs 5.00 +/- 0.0 pg/ml, p < 0.0001) and CRP (8.40 +/- 5.81 vs 1.43 +/- 1.30 mg/dl, p < 0.001) were more marked after open cholecystectomy than after the laparoscopic procedure. There was no correlation between serum CRP concentrations and the other postoperative parameters. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of the acute-phase response was less pronounced following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, consistent with a reduction in tissue trauma.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术对机体就激反应的影响

目的 研究腹腔镜胆囊切除术对机体应激反应的影响。方法 将70例胆囊炎、胆囊结石患者随机分成腹腔镜胆囊切除组（LC）和开腹胆囊切除组（OC）。术前和术后第1,3,5,7d采集外周静脉血,测定白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）,肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）,白细胞介素6（IL－6）和C－反应蛋白（CRP）。结果 两组手术前后IL－1β和TNF-α均无明显差异（P＞0．05）,两组间手术前后比较也无明显差异（P＞0．05）;两组手术后IL－6第1d升至最高,与术前及术后第3,5,7d比较有高度显著差异（P＜0．01）而术前与术后第3,5,7d比较无显著差异（P＞0．05）,两组之间比较亦无显著差异（P＞0．05）;两组手术后CRP第1,3,5d均较术前有明显升高（P＜0．05）,以术后第1和第3d升高最明显,而两组之间比较无显著差异（P＞0．05）。结论 LC对机体应激反应与OC相比没有明显差异。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术对细胞因子、内皮素和C反应蛋白水平的影响

目的:探讨开腹与腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)2种方法对胆囊疾病患者血中细胞因子、内皮素和C反应蛋白的影响,比较两种方法对机体损伤的程度及安全性。方法:选择行剖腹胆囊切除术(OC)患者50例,LC患者50例,分别于术前和术后抽取静脉血检测IL-2、IL-6、NK细胞活性、CD4/CD8、内皮素、C反应蛋白含量并进行比较。结果:OC组IL-2和NK细胞活性术后较术前下降(P<0.05),IL-6术后较术前明显上升(P<0.01)。IL-6术后OC组较LC组上升(P<0.05)。OC组IL-2术后较LC组降低(P<0.05)。CD4/CD8未发现明显变化。OC组血中内皮素术后含量明显高于LC组患者(P<0.01),C反应蛋白于术后亦高于LC组。结论:研究表明LC损伤小,是一种安全可靠的手术方式。     

Systemic inflammation and immune response after laparotomy vs laparoscopy in patients with acute cholecystitis,complicated by peritonitis

AIM: To evaluate acute cholecystitis, complicated by peritonitis, acute phase response and immunological status in patients treated by laparoscopic or open approach. METHODS: From January 2002 to May 2012, we conducted a prospective randomized study on 45 consecutive patients (27 women, 18 men; mean age 58 years). These subjects were taken from a total of 681 patients who were hospitalised presenting similar preoperative findings: acute upper abdominal pain with tenderness, involuntary guarding under the right hypochondrium and/or in the flank; fever higher than 38 ℃, leukocytosis greater than 10 × 10 9 /L or both, and ultrasonographic evidence of calculous cholecystitis possibly complicated by peritonitis. These patients had undergone cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis,complicated by bile peritonitis. Randomly, 23 patients were assigned to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and 22 patients to open cholecystectomy (OC). Blood samples were collected from all patients before operation and at days 1, 3 and 6 after surgery. Serum bacteraemia, endotoxaemia, white blood cells (WBCs), WBC subpopulations, human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), neutrophil elastase, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min, at 4, 6, 12, 24 h, and then daily (8 A.M.) until post-operative day 6.RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in the severity of peritoneal contamination as indicated by the viable bacterial count (open group = 90% of positive cultures vs laparoscopic group = 87%) and endotoxin level (open group = 33.21 ± 6.32 pg/mL vs laparoscopic group = 35.02 ± 7.23 pg/mL). Four subjects in the OC group (18.1%) and 1 subject (4.3%) in the LC group (P < 0.05) developed intra-abdominal abscess. Severe leukocytosis (range 15.8-19.6/mL) was observed only after OC but not after LC, mostly due to an increase in neutrophils (days 1 and 3, P < 0.05). This value returned to the normal range within 3-4 d after LC and 5-7 d after OC. Other WBC types and lymphocyte subpopulations showed no significant variation. On the first day after surgery, a statistically significant difference was observed in HLA-DR expression between LC (13.0 ± 5.2) and OC (6.0 ± 4.2) (P < 0.05). A statistically significant change in plasma elastase concentration was recorded post-operatively at days 1, 3, and 6 in patients from the OC group when compared to the LC group (P < 0.05). In the OC group, the serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 began to increase considerably from the first to the sixth hour after surgery. In the LC group, the increase of serum IL-1 and IL-6 levels was delayed and the peak values were notably lower than those in the OC group. Significant differences between the groups, for these two cytokines, were observed from the second to the twenty-fourth hour (P < 0.05) after surgery. The mean values of serum CRP in the LC group on post-operative days (1 and 3) were also lower than those in the OC group (P < 0.05). Systemic concentration of endotoxin was higher in the OC group at all intra-operative sampling times, but reached significance only when the gallbladder was removed (OC group = 36.81 ± 6.4 ρg/mLvs LC group = 16.74 ± 4.1 ρg/mL, P < 0.05). One hour after surgery, microbiological analysis of blood cultures detected 7 different bacterial species after laparotomy, and 4 species after laparoscopy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OC increased the incidence of bacteraemia, endotoxaemia and systemic inflammation compared with LC and caused lower transient immunological defense, leading to enhanced sepsis in the patients examined.     

Th1-like and Th2-like cytokines in patients undergoing open versus laparascopic cholecystectomy

The advantages of laparoscopic (LC versus, open cholecystectomy (OC) seems to be related to minimal invasive procedure and to the moderate inflammatory response. The aim of this study is to define the involvement of Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13) cytokines production in vivo and in vitro in patients undergoing OC or LC. In 42 patients undergoing LC (n = 22) and OC (n = 20) Th1-like and Th2-like was evaluated before operation and at 6, 24 and 48 hours after operation for white blood cell counting and cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) in the sera and in the supernatants from circulating mononuclear cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin or lipopolysaccharide. The acute phase response cytokine, IL-6, appeared significantly increased following OC than after LC. All other cytokines did not very significantly. In vitro data shows a reduction of IFN-gamma and increase in Th2-like cytokines in OC patients compared with the basal value. In LC subjects we observed an high production of IFN-gamma associated to an increase of Th2-like cytokines, like IL-10 and IL-13, even though IL-4 and IL-6 were unmodified. In contrast to OC, LC did not significantly affect immunocompetence, maintaining a moderate inflammatory response and an adequate balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokine. Furthermore, the strong activation of cells producing Th1-like cytokines in LC patients following mitogen activation indicated a consistent anti-microbial activity, that was not detectable in OC patients, that showed after activation only a Th2 response.     

腹腔镜和开腹胆囊切除术对患者血清细胞因子IL-6、IL-10和IL-18的影响

目的:探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)和开腹胆囊切除术(OC)对慢性结石性胆囊炎患者血清IL-6、IL-10和IL-18影响,比较两种方法对机体肝功能的损伤和机制。方法:选择LC患者和OC患者各30例,分别于术前、术后1d、5d抽取静脉血测定血清ALT、AST、IL-6、IL-10和IL-18含量,并进行对比研究。结果:LC组和OC组术后血清ALT、AST、IL-6和IL-18含量均较术前增加(P<0.01),血清IL-10含量较术前降低(P<0.01),上述指标术后1d变化最为明显,LC组上述血清指标变化小于同期OC组(P<0.05)。结论:LC对患者肝功能损伤较OC小,可能与LC刺激机体产生IL-6和IL-18较少,维持较高血清IL-10水平,维护适度机体细胞因子平衡有关。     

A comparison of open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with cirrhōsis

To evaluate the benefits of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with cirrhosis, data on 13 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent cholecystectomy for gallstones between 1989 and 1995 were retrospectively collected from charts filed at Fukuoka City Hospital. These 13 patients were classified into two groups; one, comprised of 7 who underwent LC, and anothe, comprised of 6 who underwent open cholecystectomy (OC). No statistical differences were observed in the duration of surgery or the intraoperative blood loss between the two groups; however, the C-reactive protein (CRP) level in the serum was significantly higher in the OC group than in the LC group. LC was followed by a significantly earlier resumption of a normal diet (P<0.05) and a shorter hospital stay (P<0.05) in comparison to OC. All of the patients who underwent OC had an uneventful clinical course; however, one of the patients who underwent LC suffered from intractable ascites postoperatively. The difference in the cost of hospitalization between the two groups was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that the therapeutic significance of performing LC in patients with cirrhosis should be assessdd after carefully evaluating all factors including mortality, morbidity, and cost-effectiveness. Thus, further controlled trials are necessary.     

Systemic and cell-mediated immune response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in patients with chronic liver disease. A randomized, prospective study

BACKGROUND: As impaired immune function observed in cirrhotic patients is known to increase the risk of postoperative complications, the immunological response to surgery was investigated. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with postnecrotic liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis C and symptomatic gallstone disease were randomly allocated to laparoscopic (LC) or open cholecystectomy (OC). Changes in concentrations of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) were followed and the effect of surgical trauma on the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 and CD19) and NK cell cytotoxicity were measured. RESULTS: After OC a decrease in circulating CD3 (p < 0.05) and CD4 (p < 0.05) and an increase in CD19 (p < 0.05) cells were detected in contrast to LC after which only CD16 cells decreased (p = 0.05). The number of CD3 cells was higher after LC than after OC (p < 0.01), whereas the number of CD19 cells was higher after OC than after LC (p < 0.01). NK cell cytotoxicity was reduced after LC (p < 0.05). In cirrhotic patients circulating cytokines were unaffected by OC, whereas TNF-alpha (p < 0.05) and IL-1beta (p < 0.05) were reduced after LC. In chronic hepatitis IL-1beta decreased after OC (p = 0.05) and IL-10 was significantly higher after LC than following OC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The immune response is less pronounced after a laparoscopic procedure compared to a conventional approach in patients with chronic liver disease.     

Leptin is a negative acute phase protein in chronic hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Hypoalbuminemia strongly predicts death in hemodialysis patients and results from both inflammation and malnutrition. One potential link between malnutrition and inflammation is appetite suppression triggered by inflammation. Leptin is secreted by adipose tissue and suppresses appetite, and it is also a positive acute phase protein in the rat. Factored for body weight, leptin is known to be increased in hemodialysis patients, but its relationship to inflammation is unknown. METHODS: We examined the relationship between spontaneously occurring activation of the acute phase response and leptin levels in 29 chronic hemodialysis patients. Serum samples were obtained three times weekly for six weeks and then monthly from 29 chronic hemodialysis patients, and the levels of the positive acute phase proteins [C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (alpha1 AG), serum amyloid A, ceruloplasmin] and the negative acute phase proteins (albumin and transferrin) as well as leptin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. RESULTS: Positive and negative acute phase proteins were evaluated at the maximum CRP (mean, 9.42 +/- 1.14 mg/dL) and minimum values (mean, 0.41 +/- 0.09 mg/dL). When CRP was elevated, leptin levels were significantly reduced, as were the negative acute phase proteins albumin and transferrin. Serum amyloid A, ceruloplasmin, alpha1 acid glycoprotein, and IL-6 were all significantly increased at the maximum CRP level, compatible with general activation of the acute phase response. The change in leptin correlated negatively with the change in CRP (R = 0.437, P = 0.018), as did changes in albumin (R = 0.620, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Leptin is not increased as a consequence of inflammation in hemodialysis patients, but behaves as a negative rather than as a positive acute phase protein. Inflammation is unlikely to reduce appetite in dialysis patients through a leptin-mediated mechanism.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术对机体免疫球蛋白、补体及CRP的影响

目的 :研究腹腔镜胆囊切除术 (LC)和开腹胆囊切除术 (OC)对机体免疫功能的影响。方法 :检测LC 2 0例和OC 18例患者入院次日、术后 2 4h和 4 8h的IgG、IgA、IgM和补体C3、C4 及C 反应蛋白质 (CRP)含量并进行对照研究。结果 :LC组免疫球蛋白及补体水平手术前后无变化 ,OC组术后血清IgG和C3低于术前水平 ,两组间差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 ) ,但OC组术后下降幅度比LC组大 ,两组间差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。两组术后CRP均明显升高 ,而OC组术后改变明显高于LC组 ,两组间差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1)。结论 :LC和OC术后早期免疫功能均在一定程度上被抑制 ,但LC组的免疫抑制程度较OC组轻 ,恢复快 ,表明LC对机体的创伤较小 ,是微创手术     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术对患者肝功能及C反应蛋白水平的影响

目的：探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）与开腹胆囊切除术（open cholecystectomy,OC）两种术式对患者肝功能的影响。方法：随机将慢性胆囊炎合并胆囊结石患者75例分为LC组40例,OC组35例,分别于术前及术后第1、3、5天抽取外周静脉血2ml,检测以下指标：血清总胆汁酸（TBA）、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、血清总胆红素（TBIL）、γ-谷氨酸转肽酶（γ-GT）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）以及C反应蛋白（CRP）。结果：LC组和OC组手术后第1天与第3天TBA、ALT、AST、TBIL及CRP均升高,LC组的CRP升高较OC组更加显著（P〈0.05）。手术后第5天两组各项指标均恢复至正常水平,两组无显著差异。结论：腹腔镜胆囊切除术与开腹胆囊切除术相比,对肝功能的影响无明显差异,实施腹腔镜胆囊切除术安全可行。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除围手术期创伤应激、酸碱平衡和能量代谢

目的　研究腹腔镜胆囊切除术 (LC)围手术期创伤应激激素水平、C反应蛋白和机体能量代谢与开腹胆囊切除术 (OC)的差异。　方法　慢性结石性胆囊炎患者 2 6例 (LC组 14例 ,OC组 12例 ) ,于术前 1d、术后 1d和 3d晨分别检测血C 反应蛋白 (CRP)、生长激素、皮质醇和胰岛素。同时测定静息能量消耗 (REE)和呼吸商 (RQ)。　结果　胰岛素在OC患者术后第 3天与术前比较有明显下降。生长激素、C 反应蛋白和皮质醇上升在OC术后明显高于LC(P <0 0 5 )。 2组患者静息能量消耗(REE)术后较术前显著增加 ,而术后OC患者REE明显高于LC患者 (P <0 0 5 )。 2组患者呼吸商(RQ)术后比较术前均有显著下降。LC组动脉血氧分压与氧饱和度术后 1d明显下降 ,第 3天恢复。LC组术后 3dBE明显高于OC组。　结论　腹腔镜手术创伤小 ,应激水平低 ,对患者代谢影响小 ,有益于机体应激激素、氮平衡和能量代谢的恢复。气腹可以引起体内酸血症和肺血灌流不足。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术与开腹胆囊切除术免疫功能的比较

胆囊结石病人40例，择期手术分别行腹腔镜胆囊切除术（LC）和开腹胆囊切除术（LC）各20例。测定手术前后血清白细胞介素-6（I－6），C-反应蛋白及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群改变，比较二种不同胆囊切除手术方式的手术创伤程度对机体免疫功能的影响。结果OC组术后12、24及48小时血清IL－6和CRP含量分别高于LC组（P＜0．05）。两组术后24小时CD4、CD4及CD4／CD8百分率有显著差异（P<0.05），72小时CD4、CD8及CD4／CD8比值相近（P＞0.05）。两组平均手术时间和切口长度有显著差异（P<0．05）。结果表明，OC手术创伤大，术后免疫功能改变明显，LC切口小，平均手术时间短是术后血清IL－6和CRP含量低及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群无明显改变的主要原因。     

Changes in the blood coagulation,fibrinolysis, and cytokine profile during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Background: It has long been known that a hypercoagulability state develops after surgery. A surge in circulating cytokine levels is also commonly found in the postoperative period. These cytokines have all been shown to be capable of inducing a hypercoagulability state. Recently laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been introduced, and its advantages over the open procedure seem related to the reduced surgical trauma. LC is associated with a diminished acute-phase response compared with the open procedure. Our present knowledge on the influence of laparoscopic upon coagulation and fibrinolysis is incomplete and based on a few studies. Methods: The aim of this prospective, nonrandomized study was to investigate hemostatic system alterations in patients who undergo open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In addition we also measured the plasma cytokine profile to explore any relationship between changes in plasma cytokine levels and postoperative coagulation profile. Between September 1999 and April 2002, 71 patients were nonrandomly assigned to open (group 1) or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (group 2). All patients from group 1 were operated by a surgical team different from ours, who prefers the OC procedure. The patients with acute cholecystitis were excluded. Prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2), thrombin-antithrombin (TAT), fibrinogen, soluble fibrin, antithrombin III (AT), protein C, plasminogen, and D-dimer levels were measured at baseline and at 1, 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively. Serial serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 were measured by colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Plasma levels of F1.2, TAT, fibrinogen, soluble fibrin, and D-dimer increased significantly in group 1. Plasma levels of AT, protein C, and plasminogen decreased in both groups. In the OC group, the serum IL-3 and IL-6 levels began to significantly increased as early as 1 h from the beginning of the operation, revealing a peak at the sixth hour. When IL-6 and IL-1 levels were markedly elevated also, F1.2, fibrinogen, and soluble fibrin levels were increased. Conclusions: Only mild hypercoagulability was observed in patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The cytokine surge was correlated with hypercoagulability. There was in fact a positive correlation between IL-6 level and hypercoagulability. The correlation between cytokine levels and coagulation activation may be related to the type of surgery performed. Further studies are required to investigate these issues. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Los Angeles, CA, USA, 10–15 March 2003     

Serum interleukin-6 and C reactive protein responses in patients after laparoscopic or conventional cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the acute phase inflammatory response to surgical trauma after laparoscopic and conventional cholecystectomy. DESIGN--Prospective open study. SETTING--University Hospital in The Netherlands. SUBJECTS--21 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis admitted for elective cholecystectomy who had had no previous upper abdominal operations. INTERVENTIONS--12 patients underwent conventional, and 9 patients laparoscopic, cholecystectomy. Circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C reactive protein concentrations were measured 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Changes in IL-6 and C reactive protein concentrations, and comparison of operative blood loss and length of stay in hospital. RESULTS--Those treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy lost significantly less blood (median 60 compared to 100 ml) and spent significantly fewer days in hospital (median 2 compared with 7 days), (p < 0.01 in each case). The only changes in circulating IL-6 concentrations were seen in patients over the age of 60 years who underwent conventional cholecystectomy. There were significant differences in C reactive protein concentrations between the two operations at both 24 and 48 hours after the operation (p < 0.01 in each case). CONCLUSION: We conclude that laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduces the acute phase inflammatory response compared with the conventional operation; there seems to be no relevant correlation between plasma concentrations of IL-6 and C reactive protein; the presence of IL-6 does not affect the response of C reactive protein to trauma; and the response of IL-6 to trauma is age dependent.     

Inflammation and reduced albumin synthesis associated with stable decline in serum albumin in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: The concentration of albumin in serum is maintained by its rates of synthesis, catabolism, and distribution between vascular and extravascular compartments. Albumin synthesis is suppressed when there is inflammation or inadequate protein intake. This study was conducted to establish whether a decline in serum albumin of >0.3 g/dL was accompanied by a change in albumin synthesis and if so whether these changes were associated with increased levels of acute phase proteins and/or with a decrease in equilibrated normalized protein catabolic rate (enPCR). METHODS: Seventy-nine patients in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored HEMO Study had baseline measurements of albumin synthesis (measured kinetically as the disappearance of [125]I human serum albumin), the serum concentrations of albumin, transferrin, C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha1 acid glycoprotein (alpha1AG), ceruloplasmin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), plus monthly measurements of enPCR. The plasma levels of all proteins and enPCR were measured regularly over 2 years or until serum albumin decreased by >0.3 g/dL on two sequential measurements. Albumin synthesis was measured a second time when serum albumin declined by >0.3 g/dL or after 2 years. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients [21 with a significant decrease in serum albumin (decliners) and 38 with stable values of serum albumin] had albumin synthesis measured twice. A decline in albumin concentration and synthesis was associated with an increase in alpha1AG when data from all patients were analyzed as a group. In decliners, albumin synthesis decreased significantly but was unchanged in stable. Likewise, in decliners, IL-6, CRP, alpha1AG, and ceruloplasmin increased significantly but were unchanged in stable. enPCR was unchanged in both groups and was not associated with either changes in albumin level or synthesis in the whole group. CONCLUSION: A decrease in serum albumin of >0.3 g/dL that persists for a period of 6 weeks is associated a decrease in albumin synthesis. This response is associated with evidence of activation of the acute phase response (inflammation) but not with changes in enPCR. In well-dialyzed patients, inflammation is the principal cause of a decrease in serum albumin while protein intake plays an insignificant role.     

Current Status of Surgical Management of Acute Cholecystitis in the United States

BACKGROUND: We attempted to determine population-based outcomes of laparoscopic (LC) and open cholecystectomy (OC) for acute cholecystitis (AC). METHODS: We used the National Hospital Discharge Surveys from 2000 through 2005. Annual medical and demographic data from a national sample of discharge records from nonfederal, short-stay hospitals were queried. We identified all patients who underwent LC or OC for AC. The main outcome measures were the rate of LC or OC and in-hospital morbidity and mortality. One million patients underwent cholecystectomy (859,747 LCs; 152,202 OCs) for AC during 2000-2005. RESULTS: Of the cases started laparoscopically, 9.5% were converted to OC. Compared to OC, patients who underwent LC were more likely to be discharged home (91% vs. 70%), carry private insurance (47% vs. 30%), suffer less morbidity (16% vs. 36%), and have a lower unadjusted mortality (0.4% vs. 3.0%). OC was associated with a 1.3-fold increase (95% confidence interval 1.1-1.4) in perioperative morbidity compared to LC after adjusting for patient and hospital factors. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients in the 21st century with AC undergo LC with a low conversion rate and low morbidity. In the general population with acute cholecystitis, LC results in lower morbidity and mortality rates than OC even in the setting of open conversion.