Plasma nitrotyrosine concentration relates to prognosis in human septic shock

Interrelation of plasma nitrotyrosine (NT) concentrations in patients of septic shock and their prognosis was examined. Blood samples were obtained from 12 patients during the first episode of septic shock at hospitalization, and their plasma NT concentrations were measured. Five patients died within five days after hospitalization, but seven patients recovered. Plasma NT concentrations (means +/- SE) of the non-survivors and survivors were 0.68 +/- 0.13 nmol/mL (n = 7), and 0.21 +/- 0.05 nmol/mL (n = 5), respectively, the former being significantly higher than the latter. The present results suggest that plasma concentration of NT relates to prognosis in human septic shock, although further studies with a larger patient population are necessary for confirmation of the suggestion.