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Introduction
A number of inflammatory mediators may be involved in the pathogenesis of endotoxininduced systemic inflammatory responsedrome (SIRS). The most severe stage of SIRS is fatigue and splenomegaly. The patient had previously been examined at a number of hospitals, where increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and sideropenic anaemia with low iron binding capacity were found. Other laboratory values were normal. Several diagnostic tests had been the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome performed throughout the months without any (MODS), which affects, among others, the direct evidence for infectious, immunopathologicardiovascular system and this leads to death in half of these patients. '2 The cascade of events in SIRS may be triggered by endotoxin, which leads to the activation of monocytes/macrophages. These cells begin producing high amounts of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)<z and interleukin (It)-1; followed by the secretion of other media-cal diseases or malignancies. However, we observed a 38-39C fever and other clinical symptoms of endotoxin shock, which in a few days led {o severe generalized oedema together with the signs of multiorgan failure (MODS). This latter involved the lungs, the cardiovascular tors, such as IL-6, IL-8, platelet-activating factor system, the kidneys and, terminally, the central (PAF), leukotrienes, endothelin-1, and others. nervous system. All serial blood culture and serological tests were negative for bacteria, viruses TNF-z and IL-1 may also stimulate T cells to and fungi. However, the plasma level of endoproduce IL-2. Increasing amounts of data suggest toxin was increased (3.85 IU/ml) compared to a pathogenetic relationship between these medianormal plasma (< 1 IU/ml) as determined by the tors in SIRS-related symptoms. Adenosine is a Limulus assay (Biomondex, Budapest)( Table 1).
well-known negative chronotropic, inotropic and dromotropic agent 4 and its production by phago-In addition, the diagnosis of SIRS was also based cytes can be stimulated by hypoxia [5][6][7][8] or other on the clinical and laboratory signs of MODS and mediators, such as PAF. 9 Thus, adenosine may also be involved in SIRS. [10][11] By presenting a case history, we wished to demonstrate the possible pathogenetic role of certain cytokines, such as TNF-0t and IL-10, as well as the counter-regulatory mediator adenosine in the cardiovascular events underlying SIRS.

Case histow
A 62-year-old woman was admitted to our diffuse intravascular coagulation. Immunological laboratory techniques showed complement activation, higher IgM level and decreased in vitro chemotaxis of neutrophils and monocytes. Terminally, the patient had impaired myocardial contractility associated with atrial fibrillation, catecholamine-resistant cardiogenic shock and died of asystolia. Autopsy showed the hypoxic damage of most organs, again with no macroscopic signs of tumours or inflammation.
Plasma samples were taken from the patient 1 institution with a 1-year history of fever, anaemia, day before her death. This was the time when the most serious cardiovascular events described above, as well as generalized oedema were observed. Samples were assayed for TNF-a, IL-2 (Amersham) and IL-10 (Biosource) using ELISA systems. Plasma adenosine concentration was determined by mass spectroscopy. 4 Results are given in Table 1. IL-10, TNF-a and adenosine showed striking 16-, 8-and 6-fold increases above the indicated reference level (normal controis), respectively. In contrast, we could not detect any IL-2 in the plasma.
The enormously high amount of plasma IL-10 measured could be secreted mainly by Th2 type T cells and it could take part in processes suppressing TNF-a and IL-2 production. The reduction of TNF-a production is a mode of action of IL-10 that diminishes mortality to lethal endotoxinaemia in mice. 14 Our concept, suggesting the role of certain cytokines in endotoxin shock-related heart failure, may help to explain some aspects of cardiac mortality in SIRS. However, other inflammatory mediators, such as adenosine may also regulate the action of these cytokines. At the same time they may act independently from cytokines and directly cause cardiodepression, in addition, we suggest that TNF-a Or adenosine antagonists, such as pentoxifylline or theophylline, respectively, may be used in the therapy of SIRS and the related MODS. Future therapeutic tools may include monoclonal antibodies raised against these mediators or antiinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10.14 Discussion The high amount of TNF-a found in our patient's plasma may be important in the pathologic regulation underlying SIRS as it is the first mediator showing increased production by macrophages. As TNF-a itself may cause endothelial injury and leak, systemic vasodilatation, and decreases in myocardial contractility, it may, at least in part, be responsible for the impaired myocardial function and generalized oedema.
TNF-a stimulates the production of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and PAF, as well as the metabolism of arachidonic acid. Among these mediators leukotrienes and PAF may act in concert with endotoxin and TNF-a in increasing capillary permeability. In the case of our patient, therapy included pentoxyphylline and high-dose glucocorticoids, drugs known to suppress cytokine production. Although no fever was observed in the last week prior to death, probably due to the effects of this combined treatment, TNF-a production could not be totally inhibited, which resulted in the further perpetuation of SIRS and death.
Elevated adenosine levels were also found in our patient's plasma. As described above, adenosine production can be induced by hypoxia, 5-u as well as PAF or LTB4, 9 pathogenetic factors also important in the pathogenesis of SIRS. Adenosine can also act as a counter-regulatory mediator by inhibiting the production of TNF-a. 2 Its negative effects on the myocardium described above, 4 however, can be fatal under certain conditions, as it was in the case of our patient.