MEDizzy - Patients with extensive endothelial injury from Escherichia

Feed Library Learning Discuss Leaderboard Journal

Inflammation and Repair

Patients with extensive endothelial injury from Escherichia coli sepsis have consumption of coagulation factors as well as an extensive inflammatory response. Administration of activated protein C is most likely to decrease this inflammatory response by reducing the amount of which of the following substances?

ExplanationOngoing activation of coagulation generates an inflammatory response that further amplifies coagulation, creating a vicious cycle. Protein C antagonizes coagulation factor V, which catalyzes activation of prothrombin to thrombin, thereby breaking the cycle of thrombin generation. Complement components can become activated by plasmin (C3) and kallikrein (C5), forming anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) that promote inflammation. Fibrin, the end product of coagulation pathways, forms a meshwork entrapping platelets and creating a plug. Kallikrein is generated by activation of Hageman factor (XII) and leads to formation of bradykinin