Abstract
Chemokines are a class of proteins with low molecular weight that serve important roles in the progression of inflammation. Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is a surgical technique in which lasers or ultrasound are utilized to break down and/or remove kidney stones. In order to ensure a full recovery following surgery, effective patient care and nursing are required. In the present study, a total of 348 patients with kidney stones were recruited and the clinical importance of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines for the nursing of patients during perioperative period was investigated. Plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, as well as chemokines in the C, CC and CXC families, were analyzed in patients following percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Correlations between chemokines and inflammatory cytokines and the urinary concentration of calcium oxalate were also investigated. The results indicated that plasma levels of C and CC chemokines were downregulated in patients following percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, whereas the plasma concentrations of CXC chemokines were upregulated. Plasma concentration levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly downregulated in patients following percutaneous nephrolithotripsy; however, no significant differences were observed in plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 pre- and post-surgery. Regression analysis revealed that plasma concentration levels of chemokine C motif ligand, which is a C chemokine, chemokine ligand 2, which is a CC chemokine, and TNF-α were positively correlated with the urinary concentration of calcium oxalate during the perioperative period. The results of the present study indicate that plasma levels of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines are clinically important for nursing of patients who experienced percutaneous nephrolithotripsy.