To clarify the relationship between cytokines and arachidonic acid metabolites, we measured tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and leukotriene B-4 (LTB(4)). The subjects consisted of 30 patients with sepsis. The results were compared between patients who died (Group A) and those who survived (Group B). All TNF-alpha, IL-8, and LTB(4) levels were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B, reflecting the severity of the disease. The LTB(4) levels were significantly correlated with the TNF-alpha level and the IL-8 level.
These results suggest that inflammatory cytokines, excessively produced due to inflammatory reactions, stimulate as a mediator the release of arachidonic acid, increasing LTB(4) production.