Plasma levels of F-actin and F:G-actin ratio as potential new biomarkers in patients with septic shock

Abstract

Objective: To compare plasma levels of F-actin, G-actin and thymosin beta 4 (TB4) in humans with septic shock, noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and healthy controls.

Results: F-actin was significantly elevated in septic shock as compared with noninfectious SIRS and healthy controls. G-actin levels were greatest in the noninfectious SIRS group but significantly elevated in septic shock as compared with healthy controls. TB4 was not detectable in the septic shock or noninfectious SIRS group above the assay’s lowest detection range (78 ng/ml).

Conclusions: F-actin is significantly elevated in patients with septic shock as compared with noninfectious SIRS. F-actin and the F:G-actin ratio are potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of septic shock.

• Actin
• actin binding protein
• coronary artery bypass graft
• F-actin
• G-actin
• septic shock
• thymosin beta 4

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Meredith Mahan for initial guidance in statistical design and analysis of this manuscript.

Declaration of interest

J.B.B., D.C.M. and E.P.R. have filed a patent utilizing the levels of F-actin, G-actin and TB4 to diagnose and guide treatment of patients with septic shock. The remaining authors report no declarations of interest. We would like to thank the Henry Ford Hospital Graduate Medical Education Research Grant for financial support to complete this project as well as Dr Jasreen Kaur, Dr Victor Coba and Dr. Arturo Suarez for assistance in identification of patients and data collection.