[Correlation of plasma endothelin and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by acute paraquat poisoning]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between endothelin (ET) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by acute paraquat poisoning (APP).

Methods: The levels of plasma ET were measured by radioimmunoassay in 24 patients with MODS caused by APP and 19 healthy persons as controls. The levels of plasma ET patients in MODS caused by APP were correlatively analysed with acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, partial pressure of oxygen in artery (PaO2), troponin I (cTnI) level, blood enzymology and biochemistry indexes.

Results: The levels of plasma ET in patients with MODS caused by APP were much higher than controls (P<0.01), the level of plasma ET in death group was much higher than that of survivor group (P<0.01). Plasma ET was positively correlated with APACHE II score, cTnI, MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr, P<0.05 or P<0.01), where there was a negative correlation with PaO2 (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Endothelin may be involved in the pathogenesis of MODS caused by APP, plasma ET may be one of a clinical index for evaluating the degree of multiple organ function damage, for guiding treatment, and judging the prognosis of MODS caused by APP.