Direct hemoperfusion with a beta2-microglobulin-selective adsorbent column eliminates inflammatory cytokines and...

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute lung injury (ALI) are characterized by a high mortality rate; therefore, ARDS/ALI in humans is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. As previously reported, cytokines play a critical role as signaling molecules that initiate, amplify, and perpetuate inflammatory responses on a local and systemic basis, and the polymyxin-B immobilized direct hemoperfusion system (PMX-DHP) is effective for the treatment of ARDS/ALI. Furthermore, another direct hemoperfusion system using the beta2-microglobulin-selective adsorbent column, Lixelle, the direct hemoperfusion treatment (Lixelle-DHP), has been applied in some cases to patients who are affected with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Lixelle-DHP in the treatment of ARDS/ALI. Four patients, aged 67-79 years old (mean 72 +/- 6.2 years), diagnosed with ARDS/ALI were treated with Lixelle-DHP. The P(a)O(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (F(i)O(2)) ratio (PF ratio) was 90.0 +/- 22.9 before the treatment, and it increased to 129.9 +/- 5.6 at 72 h afterward the start of treatment. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) decreased significantly after the treatment. All patients were still alive after one month. However, while IL-2 had decreased significantly after the treatment, it had returned by the next treatment. It is possible that Lixelle-DHP might be able to improve the PF ratio and mortality rate as a result of decreased cytokines, and it has been suggested that Lixelle-DHP has a beneficial influence in the treatment of ARDS/ALI.