Removal of 2-arachidonylglycerol by direct hemoperfusion therapy with polymyxin B immobilized fibers benefits patients with septic shock

Ther Apher Dial. 2008 Oct;12(5):374-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-9987.2008.00612.x.

Abstract

Arachidonylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) are endocannabinoids involved in septic shock, and 8-epi prostaglandin F2alpha (F2-isoprostane) is a biomarker of oxidative stress in biological systems. Because the antibiotic polymyxin B absorbs endocannabinoids as well as endotoxins, direct hemoperfusion therapy with polymyxin B-immobilized fibers (PMX-DHP) decreases serum levels of endocannabinoids. To investigate the features of sepsis and determine the proper use of PMX-DHP, we measured the changes in levels of endocannabinoids and F2-isoprostane in patients with septic shock. Twenty-six patients with septic shock, including those with septic shock induced by peritonitis, underwent laparotomy for drainage. Endocannabinoids absorption with PMX-DHP was examined in two groups of patients: patients whose mean arterial blood pressure (mABP) had increased more than 20 mm Hg (responder group; N = 13); and patients iwhose mABP did not increase or had increased no more than 20 mm Hg (non-responder group; N = 13). Levels of AEA did not change after PMX-DHP in either the non-responder or responder groups, whereas levels of 2-AG decreased significantly after PMX-DHP in the responder group, but not in the non-responder group. F2-isoprostane gradually increased after PMX-DHP treatment; on the other hand, levels of F2-isoprostane remained constant in the responder group. Patients with septic shock are under considerable oxidative stress, and 2-AG plays an important role in the cardiovascular status of these patients. The removal of 2-AG by PMX-DHP benefits patients with septic shock by stabilizing cardiovascular status and decreasing long-term oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • APACHE
  • Aged
  • Arachidonic Acids / blood*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Endotoxins / blood*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemoperfusion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymyxin B / therapeutic use*
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides / blood*
  • Probability
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Shock, Septic / blood
  • Shock, Septic / mortality
  • Shock, Septic / physiopathology
  • Shock, Septic / therapy*
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Endotoxins
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Polymyxin B
  • anandamide