OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of p38MAPK signaling pathway in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome treated with continuous blood purification.METHODS: Blood samples were obtained to analyze the protein level of inflammatory factors (IL-1, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-á) and phosphorylated p38MAPK by utilizing ELISA assay and Western blotting, respectively. The relative mRNA level of iNOS was detected by using RT-PCR. In vitro study was conducted in Caco-2 cells, which were treated with serum from patients subjected to continuous blood purification. Serum-induced inflammatory factors and phosphorylated p38MAPK were also analyzed in Caco-2 cells.RESULTS: The protein levels of IL-1, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-á were significantly decreased in Caco-2 cells treated with serum obtained from patients who were subjected to continuous blood purification therapy at the time course of 12 and 24 hours. A drastic decrease (P < 0.05) was observed in the level of IL-8 and TNF-á after continuous blood purification therapy in the patients treated with continuous blood purification therapy compared with control group.CONCLUSION: Our study conducted in vivo and in vitro demonstrated that the continuous blood purification therapy could ameliorate the inflammatory response via activating the p38MAPK signaling pathway.
Adult Caco-2 Cells