Comparison of endothelial activation during endotoxic and posttraumatic conditions by serum analysis of soluble E-selectin in nonhuman primates.

Because the presence of E-selectin, which is one of the adhesion molecules on the endothelium, cannot be determined directly in vivo except by invasive biopsy techniques, the only available kinetic information concerning its activity is the serum level of the soluble form. Therefore we tried to measure soluble E-selectin levels and compare the degree of endothelial activation in a trauma and endotoxic situation, where endothelial activation is supposed to occur. To perform these studies, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with two monoclonal antibodies was set up and used in (1) a model of endotoxic shock in baboons (n = 8) (1.5 mg/kg Escherichia coli endotoxin as a 10-minute intravenous infusion), (2) a hemorrhagic traumatic shock model in baboons (n = 6), where trauma was simulated by infusion of zymosan-activated serum and hemorrhage. Soluble E-selectin was released in vivo after the application of endotoxin, and it reached a peak level after 24 hours (13.82 +/- 5.38 ng/ml). In baboons with hemorrhagic shock, much lower levels (5.03 +/- 1.98 ng/ml) of soluble E-selectin were found. A lower soluble E-selectin level indicates a lower level of endothelial activation after experimental hemorrhagic traumatic shock (with endotoxin translocation from the gut) as compared with endotoxic shock probably caused by much lower endotoxin levels in traumatic shock.