PLASMA ENDOTOXIN AND SERUM TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-α LEVELS IN HUMAN OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE

Twenty-nine patients with obstructive jaundice caused by malignant tumors were included in this study. Peripheral blood was sampled for the determinations of plasma endotoxin (ET)and serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level. Researches were also made on the correlation between the two and their relation with other clinical parameters. The results showed that the occurence of endotoyemia, the average value of plasma ET and serum TNF-α level in peripheral blood were all obviously higher in this group of jaundiced patients than in normal control. Endotoxemia was proved to be correlated with the elevation of TNFα level (r= 0. 4531, P0.02)and both may be involved in the pathogenesis of obstructive jaundice. The authors found the examination of ET before operation could somehow predict the postoperative complications.