Changes in cytokine concentrations during passage through a granulocyte and monocyte adsorption column in a porcine lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model

Background: Sepsis 3 definitions have shifted the focus from nonspecific inflammation to sepsis as an organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Neutrophils have become therapeutic targets because of their intimate but complex involvement in sepsis. We conducted ex vivo and animal experiments to apply a granulocyte and monocyte adsorption column, which is clinically used for inflammatory bowel disease, in sepsis. In this study, the biocompatibility was evaluated in sepsis-like hypercytokinemia. Methods: Six female outbred pigs were anesthetized. Extracorporeal direct hemoperfusion (DHP) with an Adacolumn or a sham column was initiated after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. The DHP was performed for 2 h at a blood flow rate (QB) of 30 or 60 mL/min. Blood samples were collected before and during the DHP (30, 60, 90, and 120 min). The percentage change in white blood cell count, platelet count, and cytokine concentration was compared between the Adacolumn and sham columns. Results: The percentage change in white blood cells were 96 (95–98)% and 106 (101–108)% in the Adacolumn and sham groups, respectively, at QB = 60 mL/min (p < 0.01). The percentage change in platelets were 95 (90–96)% and 97 (93–99)% in the in the Adacolumn and sham groups, respectively, at QB = 60 mL/min (not significant; n.s.). At QB = 60 mL/min, the percentage change in tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 were 92 (81–106)%, 95 (93–102)%, and 98 (95–100)%, respectively, for the Adacolumn and 100 (95–102)%, 98 (87–104)%, and 97 (93–99)%, respectively, for the sham column. The percentage change in white blood cell counts, platelet counts, and all cytokines at QB = 30 and 60 mL/min showed similar trends. Conclusion: The biocompatibility of the Adacolumn was evaluated using a porcine LPS-induced inflammation model. No decrease in platelet counts or significant cytokine production was observed, suggesting that the Adacolumn could be safely used in patients with sepsis with QB = 30–60 mL/min for 2 h. However, production of mediators other than cytokines remains unknown and requires further investigation.