Parthanatos type programmed cell death and septic patient mortality / Muerte celular programada tipo Parthanatos y mortalidad de los pacientes sépticos

Objective: Parthanatos is a form of programmed cell death mediated by apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). However, there are not data on parthanatos in septic patients. The objective of the current study was to explore whether parthanatos is associated with mortality of septic patients. Design: Observational and prospective study. Setting: Three Spanish Intensive Care Units during 2017. Patients: Patients with sepsis according to Sepsis-3 Consensus criteria. Interventions: Serum AIF concentrations were determined at moment of sepsis diagnosis. Main variable of interest: Mortality at 30 days. Results: There were included 195 septic patients, and non-surviving (n=72) had serum AIF levels (p<0.001), lactic acid (p<0.001) and APACHE-II (p<0.001) that surviving (n=123). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that patients with serum AIF levels>55.6ng/mL had higher mortality risk (OR=3.290; 95% CI=1.551−6.979; p=0.002) controlling for age, SOFA and lactic acid. Conclusions: Parthanatos is associated with mortality of septic patients. (AU)

Objetivo: Parthanatos es un tipo de muerte celular programada mediada por el factor inductor de apoptosis (AIF). Sin embargo, no hay datos sobre Parthanatos en pacientes sépticos. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue explorar si Parthanatos está asociado con la morlaidad de los pacientes sépticos. Diseño: Estudio observacional y prospective. Ámbito: Tres Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos españolas durante 2017. Pacientes: Pacientes con sepsis en base a los criterios del Consenso Sepsis-3. Intervenciones: Se determinaron las concentraciones séricas de AIF en el momento del diagnóstico de la sepsis. Variable de interés principal: Mortalidad a los 30 días. Resultados: Se incluyeron 195 pacientes sépticos, y los que fallecieron (n=72) presentaron mayores concentraciones séricas de AIF (p<0.001) y de ácido láctico (p<0.001), y mayor puntuación APACHE-II (p<0.001) que los pacientes supervivientes (n=123). El análisis de regresión logística múltiple mostró que los pacientes con concentraciones séricas de AIF>55.6ng/mL tuvieron mayor riesgo de fallecer (OR=3.290; 95% CI=1.551−6.979; p=0.002) controlando por edad, SOFA y ácido láctico. Conclusiones: Parthanatos está asociado con la mortalidad de pacientes sépticos. (AU)

Relationship of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Serum Levels with Disease Characteristics in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a hormone secreted by osteocytes and osteoblasts, is a major regulator of vitamin D and phosphate homeostasis. FGF23 has been associated with the disturbance of mineral homeostasis, and with kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that can affect virtually any organ. In the present work, we set out to analyze the relationship of FGF23 with the expression of SLE, including patterns of activity, damage, and severity. A total of 284 well-characterized patients with SLE were recruited. Activity (SLEDAI), severity (Katz), and damage index (SLICC-DI) scores were determined. The serum levels of FGF23 were also assessed. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to study the relationship between disease characteristics and FGF23. FGF23 and 25(OH) vitamin D were negatively correlated. Furthermore, prednisone use was associated with higher circulating FGF23 after an adjustment for confounding factors. SLICC-DI was related to higher serum levels of FGF23 after a multivariable analysis. However, when the SLICC-DI index items and domains were analyzed separately, apart from proteinuria ≥3.5 gm/24 h, only the musculoskeletal domain, encompassing arthritis and osteoporosis, was significantly associated with higher serum levels of FGF23. In conclusion, an association is observed between elevated serum FGF23 levels and disease damage, particularly related to musculoskeletal complications and proteinuria, in patients with SLE.

HDL Cholesterol Efflux and the Complement System Are Linked in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), the ability of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to accept cholesterol from macrophages, has been linked to cardiovascular events. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the consumption of complement (C) proteins and has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. CEC is reduced in SLE patients compared to controls. In the present work, our objective was to analyze whether the disruption of C influences CEC in patients with SLE. New-generation functional assays of the three pathways of the C system were performed in 207 patients with SLE. Additionally, serum levels of inactive (C1q, C2, C3, C4, and factor D) and activated (C3a) molecules, and regulators (C1-inhibitor and factor H) of C system were measured. CEC, using an in vitro assay, and lipoprotein serum concentrations were assessed. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between C system and CEC. After full multivariable analysis, the alternative C cascade functional test showed a significant and negative relationship with CEC. This was also the case for C2 and C3, in which the associations were found to be positive and statistically significant, after adjustment for covariates. In conclusion, C system and CEC are interconnected in patients with SLE.

Parthanatos type programmed cell death and septic patient mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Parthanatos is a form of programmed cell death mediated by apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). However, there are not data on parthanatos in septic patients. The objective of the current study was to explore whether parthanatos is associated with mortality of septic patients. DESIGN: Observational and prospective study. SETTING: Three Spanish Intensive Care Units during 2017. PATIENTS: Patients with sepsis according to Sepsis-3 Consensus criteria. INTERVENTIONS: Serum AIF concentrations were determined at moment of sepsis diagnosis. MAIN VARIABLE OF INTEREST: Mortality at 30 days. RESULTS: There were included 195 septic patients, and non-surviving (n=72) had serum AIF levels (p<0.001), lactic acid (p<0.001) and APACHE-II (p<0.001) that surviving (n=123). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that patients with serum AIF levels>55.6ng/mL had higher mortality risk (OR=3.290; 95% CI=1.551-6.979; p=0.002) controlling for age, SOFA and lactic acid. CONCLUSIONS: Parthanatos is associated with mortality of septic patients.

Full characterization of the three pathways of the complement system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: To date a complete characterization of the components of the complement (C) pathways (CLassical, LEctin and ALternative) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been performed. We aimed to assess the function of these three C cascades through functional assays and the measurement of individual C proteins. We then studied how they relate to clinical characteristics. Methods: New generation functional assays of the three pathways of the C system were assessed in 284 patients with SLE. Linear regression analysis was performed to study the relationship between the activity, severity, and damage of the disease and C system. Results: Lower values of the functional tests AL and LE were more frequent than those of the CL pathway. Clinical activity was not related to inferior values of C routes functional assays. The presence of increased DNA binding was negatively linked to all three C pathways and products, except for C1-inh and C3a which were positively related. Disease damage revealed a consistent positive, rather than a negative, relationship with pathways and C elements. Anti-ribosomes and anti-nucleosomes were the autoantibodies that showed a greater relationship with C activation, mainly due to the LE and CL pathways. Regarding antiphospholipid antibodies, the most related with C activation were IgG anti-ß2GP, predominantly involving the AL pathway. Conclusion: Not only the CL route, but also the AL and LE are related to SLE features. C expression patterns are linked to disease profiles. While accrual damage was associated with higher functional tests of C pathways, anti-DNA, anti-ribosomes and anti-nucleosomes antibodies, were the ones that showed a higher relationship with C activation, mainly due to the LE and CL pathways.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 is associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß1) is a multifunctional cytokine that has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. TGF-ß1 has been linked to cardiovascular disease in the general population. The immunosuppressive effect of TGF-ß1 is believed to be dysregulated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the present work, we aimed to study the relationship of serum levels of TGF-ß1 with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with SLE. METHODS: The study included 284 patients with SLE. Serum levels of TGF-ß1 and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (by carotid ultrasonography) were evaluated. In addition, the complete lipid profile and insulin resistance were analyzed. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the relationship of TGF-ß1 with carotid subclinical atherosclerosis adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors that included lipid profile and insulin resistance. RESULTS: Circulating TGF-ß1 was positively and significantly associated with higher levels of LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio and atherogenic index. TGF-ß1 was also associated with significantly lower levels of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1. Remarkably, TGF-ß1 was associated with the presence of carotid plaque not only after adjustment for demographics (age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, and aspirin use) but also after adjustment for relationships of TGF-ß1 with lipid profile molecules, insulin resistance, and SLEDAI disease score (odds ratio 1.14 [95% confidence interval 1.003-1.30], p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: TGF-ß1 serum levels are positively and independently associated with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis disease in patients with SLE.

Elevated soluble fas blood concentrations in patients dying from spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Several studies of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) patients have shown apoptotic changes in brain samples after hematoma evacuation. However, there have been no data on the association between blood concentrations of soluble fas (sFas) (the main surface death receptor of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway) and the prognosis of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) patients. AIM: To determine whether there is an association between blood sFas concentrations and SICH patient mortality. METHODS: We included patients with severe and supratentorial SIH. Severe was defined as having Glasgow Coma Scale < 9. We determined serum sFas concentrations at the time of severe SICH diagnosis. RESULTS: We found that non-surviving patients (n = 36) compared to surviving patients (n = 39) had higher ICH score (P = 0.001), higher midline shift (P = 0.004), higher serum sFas concentrations (P < 0.001), and lower rate of early hematoma evacuation (P = 0.04). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an association between serum sFas concentrations and 30-d mortality (odds ratio = 1.070; 95% confidence interval = 1.014-1.129; P = 0.01) controlling for ICH score, midline shift, and early hematoma evacuation. CONCLUSION: The association of blood sFas concentrations and SICH patient mortality is a novel finding in our study.

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma that die during the first year of liver transplantation have high blood sFasL concentrations.

BACKGROUND: Fas ligand (FasL) is one ligand that activates extrinsic apoptosis pathway. High expression in lymphocytes of FasL have been found in patients with acute rejection of liver transplantation (LT). No high blood concentrations of soluble FasL (sFasL) have been found in patients with acute LT rejection; however, the samples size of those studies was small. AIM: To determine whether patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that dead during the first year of LT have higher blood sFasL concentrations previously to LT that those who that remain alive in a study of higher sample size. METHODS: Patients underwent LT due to HCC were included in this retrospective study. Serum sFasL levels prior to LT were measured and one-year LT mortality was registered. RESULTS: Non-surviving patients (n = 14) showed higher serum sFasL levels [477 (269-496) vs 85 (44-382) pg/mL; P < 0.001] than surviving patients (n = 113). Serum sFasL levels (pg/mL) were associated with mortality (OR = 1.006; 95%CI = 1.003-1.010; P = 0.001) independently of age of LT donor in the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time that HCC patients who die within the first year of HT have higher blood sFasL concentrations prior to HT than those who remain alive.

Serum Fas levels during first week of sepsis are associated with severity and mortality.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to explore whether there is an association of serum sFas (cell death apoptosis receptor) concentrations during the first week of sepsis with sepsis severity and sepsis mortality. METHODS: In this observational study, septic patients were recruited. Serum sFas concentrations were determined on days 1, 4, and 8 of sepsis diagnosis. Thirty-day mortality was the outcome variable. RESULTS: Surviving patients (n = 181) compared to non-survivors (n = 101) presented lower serum sFas levels on day 1 (p < 0.001), day 4 (p < 0.001) and day 8 (p < 0.001), and lower SOFA on day 1 (p < 0.001), day 4 (p < 0.001) and day 8 (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses showed associations between 30-day mortality and serum sFas levels controlling for SOFA on day 1 (OR = 1.005; 95% CI = 1.003-1.007; p < 0.001), day 4 (OR = 1.044; 95% CI = 1.029-1.060; p < 0.001) and day 8 (OR = 1.012; 95% CI = 1.002-1.022; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The association of serum sFas concentrations during the first week of sepsis with sepsis severity and sepsis mortality were our new findings.

Association between blood caspase-9 concentrations and septic patient prognosis.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on caspase­9 (intrinsic apoptosis pathway initiating caspase) in septic patients. Higher serum caspase­9 levels in septic patients than in healthy subjects have been found. However, there are no data on the prognosis of septic patients and blood caspase­9 concentrations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the potential association between blood caspase­9 concentrations and prognosis in septic patients. METHODS: Three Spanish hospitals participated in the recruitment of septic patients admitted to intensive care units in this observational and prospective study. Serum caspase­9 concentrations were determined at the time of sepsis diagnosis. The 30-day mortality was the outcome variable. RESULTS: Higher Acute Phisiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)-II (p < 0.001), Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) (p < 0.001), serum lactic acid levels (p = 0.001), serum caspase­9 levels (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), International normalized ratio (INR) (p = 0.001), rate of septic shock (p = 0.001), Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) (p = 0.03), rate of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.04), and lower platelet counts (p = 0.01) were found in non-surviving (n = 80) than in surviving patients (n = 134). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an association between serum caspase­9 concentrations and mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.985; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.359-2.900; p < 0.001) regardless of age, SOFA, lactic acid and septic shock and history of diabetes mellitus. No significant differences were found when we compared area under ROC curves of serum caspase­9 with SOFA (p = 0.92) and with lactic acid (p = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: The main novel finding of our study was the association between blood caspase­9 concentrations and septic patient prognosis. However, our study showed some limitations (for example, the absence of data in respect to execution of Surviving Sepsis Campaign bundles); thus, more research could be interesting to confirm our preliminary findings.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Soluble Receptor in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major regulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Its soluble receptor (sVEGFR) is a potent VEGF antagonist. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a diverse array of clinical manifestations that affect virtually any organ. We aimed to analyze the relationship of VEGF and sVEGFR with SLE disease-related features including disease activity, damage, and severity. Serum levels of VEGF165 isoform and sVEGFR (receptor 1) were assessed in 284 well-characterized patients with SLE. Linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship of disease characteristics with both VEGF and sVEGFR. Patients with a disease damage index (SLICC score) equal to or greater than 1 had significantly elevated serum levels of VEGF and sVEGFR. Regarding disease-specific features, musculoskeletal manifestations were the disease feature most commonly associated with the upregulation of both VEGF and sVEGFR. SLE disease damage is associated with higher levels of VEGF and sVEGFR.

DNA and RNA oxidative damage in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and mortality during the first year of liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative damage of DNA and RNA has been associated with mortality of patients with different diseases. However, there is no published data on the potential use of DNA and RNA oxidative damage to predict the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing liver transplantation (LT). AIM: To determine whether patients with increased DNA and RNA oxidative damage prior to LT for HCC have a poor LT prognosis. METHODS: Patients with HCC who underwent LT were included in this observational and retrospective study. Serum levels of all three oxidized guanine species (OGS) were measured prior to LT since guanine is the nucleobase that forms DNA and RNA most prone to oxidation. LT mortality at 1 year was the end-point study. RESULTS: Surviving patients (n = 101) showed lower serum OGS levels (P = 0.01) and lower age of the liver donor (P = 0.03) than non-surviving patients (n = 13). An association between serum OGS levels prior to LT and 1-year LT (odds ratio = 2.079; 95% confidence interval = 1.356-3.189; P = 0.001) was found in the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The main new finding was that high serum OGS concentration prior to LT was associated with the mortality 1 year after LT in HCC patients.

High blood Fas concentrations in non-survivor patients with traumatic brain injury.

Fas is one of the main death receptors of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. A study has reported higher Fas expression in brain samples of non-surviving TBI patients than in survivors. The objective of our current study was to determine whether there is an association between Fas concentrations in blood and mortality of isolated TBI patients. Patients with severe TBI [< 9 points in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)] and isolated TBI (< 10 non-cranial aspects points on the Injury Severity Score) were included from 5 Intensive Care Units. We measured serum Fas concentrations on the day of TBI. Non-surviving (n = 23) compared to surviving patients (n = 57) had higher age (p = 0.01), lower GCS (p = 0.001), higher APACHE-II score (p < 0.001), higher ICP (p = 0.01), higher CT findings with high risk of death (p = 0.02) and higher serum Fas concentrations (p < 0.001). We found in regression analyses an association between serum Fas levels and mortality of TBI patients after controlling for CT findings, age and CGS (OR = 1.006; 95% CI 1.001-1.011; p = 0.02), and after controlling for CT findings, ICP and APACHE-II (OR = 1.007; 95% CI 1.001-1.012; p = 0.02). Thus, the most interesting and novel finding in this study is the association between high blood Fas concentrations and mortality in TBI patients.

Association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the first seven days of sepsis and mortality.

INTRODUCTION: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of sepsis has been found to be higher in non-survivors than in survivors, and that is associated with mortality. A higher NLR in non-survivors than in survivors has been reported in two studies during patient follow-up; however, NLR was not controlled for sepsis severity. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association between NLR in the first seven days and mortality controlling for sepsis severity. METHODS: This observational study, which included septic patients, was conducted in the Intensive Care Units of 3 Spanish hospitals. NLR was recorded on the first, fourth, and eighth day of sepsis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine the association between NLR during the first 7 days of sepsis diagnosis and mortality controlling for sepsis severity. RESULTS: Thirty-day non-surviving patients (n=68) compared to surviving patients (n=135) showed higher NLR on the first (p<0.001), fourth (p<0.001), and eighth (p<0.001) day of sepsis diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis found an association between NLR at days first (p<0.001), fourth (p=0.004), and eighth (p=0.01) of sepsis diagnosis and mortality controlling for SOFA and lactic acid in those days. CONCLUSIONS: The new finding of our study was the association between NLR in the first seven days of sepsis and mortality controlling for sepsis severity.

Association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the first seven days of sepsis and mortality / Asociación entre la relación neutrófilos/linfocitos durante los primeros siete días de sepsis y mortalidad

IntroductionThe neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of sepsis has been found to be higher in non-survivors than in survivors, and that is associated with mortality. A higher NLR in non-survivors than in survivors has been reported in two studies during patient follow-up; however, NLR was not controlled for sepsis severity. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association between NLR in the first seven days and mortality controlling for sepsis severity.MethodsThis observational study, which included septic patients, was conducted in the Intensive Care Units of 3 Spanish hospitals. NLR was recorded on the first, fourth, and eighth day of sepsis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine the association between NLR during the first 7 days of sepsis diagnosis and mortality controlling for sepsis severity.ResultsThirty-day non-surviving patients (n=68) compared to surviving patients (n=135) showed higher NLR on the first (p<0.001), fourth (p<0.001), and eighth (p<0.001) day of sepsis diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis found an association between NLR at days first (p<0.001), fourth (p=0.004), and eighth (p=0.01) of sepsis diagnosis and mortality controlling for SOFA and lactic acid in those days.ConclusionsThe new finding of our study was the association between NLR in the first seven days of sepsis and mortality controlling for sepsis severity.

IntroducciónSe ha objetivado que la relación neutrófilos/linfocitos (NLR) en el momento del diagnóstico de la sepsis es mayor en fallecidos que en supervivientes y que está asociada con la mortalidad. En dos estudios, se ha reportado mayor NLR en fallecidos durante la evolución; sin embargo, NLR no se controló por la gravedad de la sepsis. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio consistió en determinar si existe una asociación entre NLR durante los primeros siete días y mortalidad, controlando por gravedad de la sepsis.MétodosEste estudio observacional, incluyendo pacientes sépticos, fue realizado en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos de tres hospitales españoles. Se registró NLR en los días 1, 4 y 8 del diagnóstico de la sepsis. Se realizó regresión logística múltiple para determinar la asociación entre NLR durante los primeros siete días y mortalidad (a los 30 días), controlando por gravedad de la sepsis.ResultadosLos pacientes fallecidos en los primeros 30 días (n = 68), comparados con los supervivientes (n = 135), tuvieron mayor NLR en los días 1 (p < 0,001), 4 (p < 0,001) y 8 (p < 0,001) del diagnóstico de la sepsis. La regresión logística múltiple mostró la asociación entre NLR en los días 1 (p < 0,001), 4 (p = 0,004) y 8 (p = 0,01) del diagnóstico de la sepsis y mortalidad, controlando por SOFA y lactatemia en esos días.ConclusionesEl nuevo hallazgo de nuestro estudio fue la asociación entre NLR durante los primeros siete días de la sepsis y la mortalidad, controlando por gravedad de la sepsis.

High mortality rate of septic patients with high blood granzyme B concentrations.

Granzyme B could be released from cytotoxic T lymphocytes producing apoptosis activation. The objective of our study was to determine whether an association between septic patient mortality and blood granzyme B concentrations exist. We recruited septic patients admitted in 3 Intensive Care Units. We recorded mortality at 30 days and we determined serum granzyme B concentrations at moment of sepsis diagnosis. We found higher rate of history of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.02), serum granzyme B concentrations (P < 0.001), age (P = 0.001), serum lactic acid levels (P = 0.001) and sepsis-related organ failure assessment (P < 0.001) exhibited non-surviving patients (n = 67) than surviving ones (n = 110). We found in multiple logistic regression analysis an association of serum granzyme B concentrations with mortality (odds ratio = 1.223; 95% confidence interval = 1.104-1.355; P < 0.001) controlling for diabetes mellitus, sepsis-related organ failure assessment, lactic acid and age. That we know, our study is the first reporting the existence of an association of high serum granzyme B concentrations with high septic patients mortality.

Blood Bcl-2 levels to predict the mortality of septic patients.

Aim: To determine whether blood concentrations of Bcl-2 during the 1st week of sepsis could help predict mortality. Methods: Serum Bcl-2 concentrations were determined at the 1st, 4th and 8th days of sepsis diagnosis. Results: Thirty-day surviving patients (n = 168) showed higher serum Bcl-2 levels at the 1st (p = 0.002), 4th (p < 0.001) and 8th days (p < 0.001) of sepsis diagnosis than non-surviving patients (n = 91). An association between serum Bcl-2 concentrations at the 1st (p = 0.003), 4th (p < 0.001) and 8th days (p = 0.01) and 30-day mortality after controlling for diabetes mellitus, Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment, lactic acid and age was found in the multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: The novel finding is that blood Bcl-2 concentrations at any time in the 1st week of sepsis are associated with mortality.

Mortality prediction of septic patients by blood caspase-8 levels.

We have not found data about blood caspase-8 concentrations (initiator caspase in the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis) during follow-up of sepsis and this was the objective of our study. We included septic patients. Serum caspase-8 concentrations were determined at days 1, 4, and 8 of sepsis diagnosis. We registered mortality at 30 days. Nonsurviving patients (n = 89) in respect to surviving patients (n = 160) showed higher serum caspase-8 levels at days 1 (P < 0.001), 4 (P <0.001), and 8 (P <0.001) of sepsis diagnosis. Serum caspase-8 levels on day 1, day 4, and day 8 had an area under curve for the prediction of 30-day mortality of 68% (60%-75%, P<0.001), 72% (62%-82%, P<0.001), and 81% (73%-90%, P<0.001). Thus, that blood caspase-8 concentrations at any time during the first week of sepsis were higher in non-survivor than in survivor patients and that were able to predict mortality were new findings in our study.

Blood soluble Fas concentrations and ischemic stroke patient mortality.

BACKGROUND: Fas is a major receptor for cell death by apoptosis. Higher blood concentrations of soluble Fas (sFas) have been reported in patients with ischemic stroke compared to control subjects. The aim of this study was to explore the existence or not of an association between blood sFas concentrations and mortality in patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: This study included patients admitted to Intensive Care Units with severe and malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MCAI), defined as acute infarction, in more than 50% of this territory on computed tomography and less than 9 points on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Serum sFas levels were determined at the time of diagnosis of MMCAI. RESULTS: Non-surviving severe MMCAI patients (n = 27) showed lower platelet count (p = 0.004), higher serum sFas (p < 0.001), and lower GCS (p = 0.001) compared to surviving patients (n = 27). Multiple logistic regression found an association of serum sFas levels and mortality at 30 days (OR = 1.015; 95% CI = 1.002-1.027; p = 0.02) after control for CGS and platelet count. CONCLUSIONS: The main novelty of our study was the existence of an association between high blood sFas concentrations and mortality in patients with ischemic stroke.