Changes of toll like receptor 4 and CD14 expression on peripheral blood monocytes during early stage of human acute pancreatitis

Objective To study toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression on peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs during the early stage of human acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Thirty-six consecutive patients with AP admitted to our hospital within 24 h of onset of abdominal pain were enrolled prospectively in this study. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture at admission and on the 3rd and 7th d after admission to isolate PBMCs. TLR4 and CD14 expression on PBMCs was determined by flow cytometry. Serum levels of TNF-αand IL-6 were simultaneously measured. The correlation among these parameters was analyzed. Results In mild AP, TLR4 expression level increased on the 1st d after admission and then continued to decline for several days. On the 7 th d, TLR4 expression was almost normal. The changes of serum TNF-αwere coincident with those of TLR4. Conclusions Mononuclear macrophages might be activated by TLR4 to result in production and release of TNF-α.