Hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column reduces circulating interleukin-8 concentrations

In the present study, we examined whether the performance of hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column (DHP-PMX) reduces circulating interleukin-8 concentration in patients with sepsis. Fifteen patients with sepsis satisfying the following criteria were enrolled in the study: (i) signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection; and (ii) mean arterial blood pressure > or =60 mm Hg (irrespective of the use of catecholamines). A thermodilution catheter was inserted prior to DHP-PMX for appropriate intravenous infusion, and the DHP-PMX was carried out twice at 24 h intervals (for 3 h each time). Circulating interleukin-8 concentration was measured seven times. The sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was calculated twice. Circulating interleukin-8 concentration was 55 +/- 15.7 pg/mL before DHP-PMX, while it was 101 +/- 58.8 pg/mL immediately after the first session of treatment. It was 24 +/- 9.0 pg/mL before the second session of DHP-PMX, and it was 28 +/- 8.0 pg/mL immediately after the second session. The IL-8 level was 17 +/- 4.3 pg/mL at 48 h afterward, and 18 +/- 4.3 pg/mL at 72 h afterward, showing a significant decrease from 48 h onwards, compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). The SOFA score was 9 +/- 1.5 and the APACHE II score was 19 +/- 2.0 before DHP-PMX, while the SOFA score was 7.0 +/- 0.9 at 72 h afterward, showing a significant decrease compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). The present findings indicate that DHP-PMX indirectly reduces circulating interleukin-8 concentration and improves SOFA score.