Quantification of acute phase reactants after muscle biopsy

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Acute phase reactants (APRs) are crucial indicators of inflammation and tissue injury.
• Muscle biopsy is a common diagnostic procedure that can elicit a localized inflammatory response.
• Understanding the systemic effects of muscle biopsy is important for interpreting patient data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acute phase reaction following a standardized muscle biopsy.
• To quantify changes in specific acute phase reactants and muscle necrosis markers post-biopsy.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from patients and controls before and for 7 days after muscle biopsy.
• Concentrations of six acute phase reactants (ESR, neutrophil count, fibrinogen, haptoglobin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, ferritin) were measured.
• Markers of muscle necrosis (myoglobin, CK, ALT, AST), hemopexin, iron, and TIBC were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• Five of six acute phase reactants (ESR, neutrophil count, fibrinogen, haptoglobin, alpha 1-antitrypsin) significantly increased post-biopsy.
• Serum ferritin levels remained unchanged.
• Creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin levels significantly increased, indicating muscle damage.
• Serum iron concentration decreased significantly after the procedure.

Conclusions:

• A muscle biopsy induces a significant and measurable acute phase reaction.
• The study confirms that muscle biopsy is a reliable method to elicit a transient inflammatory response.
• Changes in APRs and muscle necrosis markers provide insights into the body's response to surgical insult.