The effect of continuous blood purification on P38MAPK signaling pathway in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

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‐α) 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‐α 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‐α 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.