Serum Gc-globulin in the early course of multiple trauma.

OBJECTIVES

In patients with multiple trauma, actin released from damaged cells may cause severe circulatory disturbance due to thrombi formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of the actin scavenger, Gc-globulin, in relation to the severity of injury and outcome.

DESIGN

Prospective, longitudinal, observational study.

SETTING

Trauma center at a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Twelve patients with multiple trauma, consecutively included, according to defined criteria.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Serum Gc-globulin concentrations were measured at the time of admission and daily thereafter for 1 wk or until death. In all patients, the Gc-globulin concentration was significantly low (p < .0001), and the proportion of Gc-globulin bound to actin was already increased compared with normal values (p < .0001) by the time of hospital arrival. There was an inverse correlation between the mean concentration of serum Gc-globulin in the first week after trauma and the Injury Severity Score (r = -0.72, p < .05). Surviving patients had a significantly (p < .05) higher concentration of serum Gc-globulin in the first week after trauma compared with nonsurvivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum concentrations of Gc-globulin were significantly low in trauma patients. The reduction took place within 60 mins after injury. Because the normal half-life of Gc-globulin is almost 48 hrs, our observations suggest a marked consumption of Gc-globulin immediately after the trauma. This finding could be the first clinical evidence that Gc-globulin plays a role in the systemic inflammatory response syndrome after trauma. This result is supported by the finding that lack of Gc-globulin was related to nonsurvival and the severity of the trauma.