Detection of T cell apoptosis after major operations.
OBJECTIVE
To detect T cell apoptosis in reduced peripheral lymphocyte counts in patients having major operations.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital, Japan.


METHODS
11 patients having oesophagectomy and 5 having laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


METHODS
To investigate T cell apoptosis we detected DNA fragmentation using electrophoresis, and T-cell receptor-gamma (TCR-gamma) gene amplification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in serum.


METHODS
Peripheral lymphocyte count and DNA extracted from the serum preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7.


RESULTS
The lymphocyte count decreased significantly until day 5 and then increased in the patients who had had oesophagectomy. DNA fragmentation and PCR products for the TCRgamma variable region gene were found in the serum DNA of 10 patients until day 5. No DNA fragmentation or PCR products were found in the serum of patients who had had laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that transient T cell apoptosis occurs after major operations.
Sasajima
K
K
First Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
Inokuchi
K
K
Onda
M
M
Miyashita
M
M
Okawa
K I
KI
Matsutani
T
T
Takubo
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*