The novel biomarkers for assessing clinical benefits of continuous renal replacement therapy in pediatric sepsis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has been considered as an adjuvant therapy for sepsis. However, the novel biomarker to evaluate the benefits of CRRT is limited. The aim of this study was to explore the novel biomarkers involved in the impact of CRRT in pediatric sepsis. METHODS: The serum proteomic profiles on the 7th day after CRRT (CRRT 7th day) compared with before CRRT (CRRT 1st day) was determined in 3 children with sepsis as a discovery set. The screened candidates were confirmed in the validation cohort including patients received CRRT (CRRT group) and without CRRT (non-CRRT group). We defined that pediatric sequential organ failure assessment score (pSOFA) in pediatric patients with sepsis decreased by 2 points or more on the CRRT 1st day compared with CRRT initiation as CRRT responders. The changes of serum biomarkers were compared between CRRT responders and CRRT non-responders. Moreover, correlation analysis was further conducted in pediatric sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 145 differentially expressed proteins were found according to the serum proteomics profiles. By visualizing the interaction between the differential proteins, 6 candidates (Lysozyme C [LYZ], Leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein [LRG1], Fibromodulin [FMOD], Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin [SERPINA3], L-selectin [SELL], Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14 [CD14]) were screened. In the validation cohort, serum levels of LYZ and LRG1 showed a higher trend on the CRRT 7th day than that on the 1st day in the non-CRRT group. However, the changes in levels of LYZ and LRG1 on the 7th day was significant in the CRRT group (p = 0.016, p = 0.009, respectively). Moreover, the levels of LYZ and LRG1 on the CRRT 7th day in the CRRT group were significantly higher than that in the non-CRRT group (p < 0.001, p = 0.025). Decreased levels of CD14 were associated with sepsis recovery, but not associated with CRRT. There were no significantly difference in serum FMOD, SERPINA3, and SELL levels. Importantly, serum LYZ and LRG1 levels changed in CRRT responders, but not CRRT non-responders. Further analysis indicated that serum LYZ levels were correlated to total platelet counts, aspartate aminotransferase (ALT), alanine aminotransferase (AST), and albumin levels, and serum LRG1 level were correlated to total platelet count and TBIL levels on the 1st day in the CRRT group. Protein–protein interaction network analysis displayed that serum LYZ and LRG1 were involved in the process of inflammatory response, leucocytes adhesion to vascular endothelial cell, as well as complement activation. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum LYZ and LRG1 levels are associated with clinical benefits of CRRT during sepsis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12014-023-09392-2.