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The plasma mitochondrial DNA is an independent predictor for post-traumatic systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Xiaoling Gu1, Yanwen Yao, Guannan Wu

  • 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.

Plos One
|August 27, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Plasma mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels are elevated in trauma patients and correlate with injury severity. Higher mtDNA levels independently predict the risk of developing systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after trauma.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Trauma Research

Background:

  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is an emerging damage-associated molecular pattern.
  • Elevated plasma mtDNA has been observed in trauma patients.
  • The predictive value of plasma mtDNA for post-traumatic complications like SIRS is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma mtDNA levels and injury severity.
  • To determine if plasma mtDNA can predict post-traumatic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of 86 acute trauma patients.
  • Quantification of plasma mtDNA using real-time PCR for the human ND2 gene.
  • Analysis of clinical and laboratory data, including injury severity score (ISS) and SIRS development.

Main Results:

  • Plasma mtDNA levels were significantly higher in trauma patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.001).
  • Plasma mtDNA concentration correlated independently with the ISS score (r=0.287, P<0.001).
  • Patients who developed SIRS had significantly higher plasma mtDNA levels (P<0.001), and mtDNA was an independent predictor of SIRS (OR, 1.183; P=0.032).

Conclusions:

  • Plasma mtDNA serves as an independent indicator for predicting post-traumatic SIRS.
  • Plasma mtDNA possesses moderate discriminative power for SIRS risk assessment.
  • Elevated plasma mtDNA levels are linked to increased risk of SIRS following acute traumatic injury.

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