Effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs: a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19-related ARDS

IntroductionProne positioning is a commonly recommended intervention in clinical practice to enhance oxygenation in COVID-19 patients with ARDS, but its effects on inflammatory markers in the blood and lungs have not been thoroughly investigated.MethodsThis retrospective study examined COVID-19-rela...

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Main Authors: Chao Hu, Li Peng, Kang Liu, Li Yang, Ying Zhang, Hui Deng, Hui Li, Ming Yan Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1480123/full
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author Chao Hu
Li Peng
Kang Liu
Li Yang
Ying Zhang
Hui Deng
Hui Li
Ming Yan Jiang
author_facet Chao Hu
Li Peng
Kang Liu
Li Yang
Ying Zhang
Hui Deng
Hui Li
Ming Yan Jiang
author_sort Chao Hu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionProne positioning is a commonly recommended intervention in clinical practice to enhance oxygenation in COVID-19 patients with ARDS, but its effects on inflammatory markers in the blood and lungs have not been thoroughly investigated.MethodsThis retrospective study examined COVID-19-related ARDS patients admitted to the ICU of a tertiary hospital between January 2020 and November 2023. The analysis focused on measuring cytokines and lymphocyte subsets in both blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) to evaluate the impact of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in the lungs and systemic circulation.ResultsOf the 86 intubated patients, 44 were included in the study, with 30 undergoing prone positioning. Compared to the supine position, prone positioning was associated with elevated plasma levels of IL-12p70 and IL-4, as well as increased expression of IFN-α and TNF-α in BALF. With increased frequency of prone positioning, oxygenation progressively improved, accompanied by a rise in plasma IL-4 levels. No significant differences in peripheral blood lymphocyte levels were observed between the supine and prone groups.ConclusionThis study sheds light on the potential mechanisms of prone positioning in both local and systemic circulation, particularly in the context of inflammatory markers. In COVID-19-related ARDS, prone positioning may strengthen the immune response by modulating inflammatory markers in the lungs and bloodstream.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-97a3ddc862b440e59112e552a7bbf9142025-08-20T02:37:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-06-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.14801231480123Effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs: a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19-related ARDSChao Hu0Li Peng1Kang Liu2Li Yang3Ying Zhang4Hui Deng5Hui Li6Ming Yan Jiang7Department of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Hematology, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, Hunan, ChinaIntroductionProne positioning is a commonly recommended intervention in clinical practice to enhance oxygenation in COVID-19 patients with ARDS, but its effects on inflammatory markers in the blood and lungs have not been thoroughly investigated.MethodsThis retrospective study examined COVID-19-related ARDS patients admitted to the ICU of a tertiary hospital between January 2020 and November 2023. The analysis focused on measuring cytokines and lymphocyte subsets in both blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) to evaluate the impact of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in the lungs and systemic circulation.ResultsOf the 86 intubated patients, 44 were included in the study, with 30 undergoing prone positioning. Compared to the supine position, prone positioning was associated with elevated plasma levels of IL-12p70 and IL-4, as well as increased expression of IFN-α and TNF-α in BALF. With increased frequency of prone positioning, oxygenation progressively improved, accompanied by a rise in plasma IL-4 levels. No significant differences in peripheral blood lymphocyte levels were observed between the supine and prone groups.ConclusionThis study sheds light on the potential mechanisms of prone positioning in both local and systemic circulation, particularly in the context of inflammatory markers. In COVID-19-related ARDS, prone positioning may strengthen the immune response by modulating inflammatory markers in the lungs and bloodstream.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1480123/fullprone positioninflammatory biomarkerbronchoalveolar lavage fluidCOVID-19lymphocyte subsets
spellingShingle Chao Hu
Li Peng
Kang Liu
Li Yang
Ying Zhang
Hui Deng
Hui Li
Ming Yan Jiang
Effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs: a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19-related ARDS
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
prone position
inflammatory biomarker
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
COVID-19
lymphocyte subsets
title Effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs: a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19-related ARDS
title_full Effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs: a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19-related ARDS
title_fullStr Effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs: a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19-related ARDS
title_full_unstemmed Effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs: a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19-related ARDS
title_short Effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs: a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19-related ARDS
title_sort effect of prone positioning on inflammatory markers in blood and lungs a retrospective cohort study in covid 19 related ards
topic prone position
inflammatory biomarker
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
COVID-19
lymphocyte subsets
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1480123/full
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