The serum interleukin 6 response to elective surgery.
We have investigated changes in serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy. Serum IL-6 increased in all patients within 1.5 hour of incision, reaching a maximum between 1.5-4 hours after incision (median 50 U/ml; range 22-79 U/ml). The maximum serum IL-6 correlated with the length of the operation (r = 0.95). Serum C-reactive protein was not detectable until 8-12 hours post-incision, but maximum serum C-reactive protein did not correlate with maximum serum IL-6 concentration or length of operation. There was no consistent increase in plasma interleukin 1 or tumour necrosis factor following surgery. Serum IL-6 is an early marker of tissue damage and may be of value in the study of the metabolic response to injury.
Shenkin
A
A
Department of Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland.
Fraser
W D
WD
Series
J
J
Winstanley
F P
FP
McCartney
A C
AC
Burns
H J
HJ
Van Damme
J
J
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein