Journal of interferon & cytokine research : the official journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research
-
J. Interferon Cytokine Res. · Oct 2001
Upregulation of IFN-gamma and soluble interleukin-2 receptor release and altered serum cortisol and prolactin concentration during general anesthesia.
The effects of surgery, surgical stress, and anesthesia compromise the optimal function of the immune system. Recent studies demonstrate the influence of anesthesia on the immune response by modulation of neural-immune interactions. To evaluate the immunologic effects of general anesthesia with the hypnotic agent propofol and the opioid fentanyl, two drugs used frequently in anesthesia, we studied 30 patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery before and during narcosis. ⋯ Serum prolactin significantly increased immediately after induction of anesthesia, whereas serum cortisol levels declined. Our results point to enhanced proinflammatory T lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell activity, probably caused by prolactin and cortisol modulation in the serum. This may disturb the balance of human proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways during surgery and general anesthesia.