title: Effects of propofol emulsion and thiopentone on T helper cell type-1/type-2 balance in vitro.
abstract: We have earlier found increased percentages of T helper cells (CD4-positive lymphocytes) in the blood circulation after propofol infusion anaesthesia. Cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) are important in the differentiation of T helper cells into subtypes T helper type-1 (Th1) and type-2 (Th2). To study the effects of propofol emulsion, its solvent Intralipid and thiopentone on Th1/Th2 balance, measurements of IFN gamma and IL-4 production by mononuclear leucocytes were carried out in vitro. As IL-2 has a central role in immune responses to surgery, its production was also measured. Concanavalin A-stimulated mononuclear cells were cultured in the presence of propofol emulsion at 3.5 or 10 micrograms.ml-1, Intralipid 35 or 100 micrograms.ml-1, or thiopentone 3 micrograms.ml-1. Cytokine production was measured from the conditioned media of mononuclear cell cultures. Decreased IFN gamma (p < 0.001) and IL-4 concentrations (p < 0.01) were found in the presence of thiopentone, but IL-2 production was unaffected. By contrast, propofol emulsion or Intralipid had no effects on IFN gamma, IL-2 or IL-4 concentrations. Propofol 10 micrograms.ml-1 increased the IFN gamma/IL-4 ratio from the control value median 243 (162-562) (25th-75th percentile) to 363 (195-1028) (p < 0.01), but thiopentone decreased it to 145 (60-214) (p < 0.01). These findings show that propofol and thiopentone have different effects in vitro on Th1/Th2 balance and suggest that they have different modulating effects on the immune response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salo
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Pirttikangas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pulkki
mesh_terms: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D013874:Thiopental / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013874:Thiopental; D015742:Propofol