title: Detection of neopterin, interleukin-6 and acute-phase proteins as parameters of potential monocyte activation in preoperative patients.
abstract: Monocytes play a key role in the immune response to trauma and infection. Is monocyte function already altered before surgery in terms of cell activation? On admission, serum neopterin was at or above 9 nmol/l in 50.2% and serum IL-6 was detectable (> 4 pg/ml) in 10.5% of 227 patients electively undergoing major abdominal surgery. Mean values of CRP (0.8 vs. 3.6), alpha-1-antitrypsin (267 vs. 376), albumin (4.0 vs. 3.5), prealbumin (27.0 vs. 17.9, all at p < 0.01) were significantly different in patients with or without monocyte activation (neopterin > 9 nmol/l and IL-6 > 4 pg/ml). There was a significant correlation between neopterin and the acute phase proteins (all at p < 0.01). The data reflect a "primed" state at least of some parts of the immune system in a subgroup of preoperative patients potentially affecting their response to surgical trauma and bacterial contamination.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Universitätsklinik, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Haupt
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hohenberger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Christou
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D019798:Neopterin; D011300:Preoperative Care
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin