The value of CRP, IL-6, leptin, cortisol, and peritoneal caspase-3 monitoring in the operative strategy of secondary peritonitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate the impact of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, leptin, cortisol, and caspase-3 on the decision of terminating planned abdominal repair in secondary peritonitis. METHODS Fifteen patients with peritonitis were enrolled into the study. Serum CRP, IL-6, leptin, cortisol, and peritoneal caspase-3 activities were measured. RESULTS APACHE II scores at 48 hours (h) and age were significantly higher in non-survivors. A significant decrease was observed in caspase-3 activities of patients in whom ≤4 laparotomies were performed when compared with those who underwent >4 laparotomies. For patients who underwent ≤4 laparotomies, there was a significant difference in caspase-3 levels between 0 and 72 h. There was no significant difference in caspase-3 levels in non-survivors; caspase-3 levels were significantly lower in the survivors at 48 and 72 h. Changes in CRP, IL-6, leptin, and cortisol levels were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION CRP, IL-6, leptin, cortisol, and caspase-3 are not valuable in discriminating the number of planned operations, even though there is a significant decrease in caspase-3 "within" survivors. The discriminative value of caspase-3 for closure should be evaluated in studies in which caspase-3 is monitored for a longer duration in a large number of patients.