Biomarker Profile of Sepsis-Associated Coagulopathy Using Biochip Assay for Inflammatory Cytokines

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a major pathophysiological mechanism of sepsis and greatly increases the risk of death in septic patients. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a complex physiological phenomenon that involves inappropriate activation of coagulation, inflammation, and endothelial processes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the plasma of patients with DIC in order to compare the measured levels with those from healthy individuals, draw correlations, and provide a basis for further biomarker panel development. The inflammatory biomarkers interleukin (IL) 1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN) , vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) , monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) showed significant (P < .05) elevation in patients with DIC. Interestingly, while numerous correlations were present between IL-, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-, TNF-, MCP-1, and many of the inflammatory cytokines measured, VEGF and EGF exhibited much less extensive correlation, suggesting that their involvement in DIC may be independent of the other investigated inflammatory markers.