Effects of remifentanil on neutrophil adhesion, transmigration, and intercellular adhesion molecule expression.
BACKGROUND
Anaesthetic drugs are used for pain therapy and anaesthesia. Neutrophils play a significant role during the process of inflammation. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of remifentanil and fentanyl on neutrophil migration through endothelial cell monolayers, and on adhesion molecule expression.


METHODS
After isolation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNL) we used a currently described migration assay. PMNL and/or endothelial cell monolayers (ECM) were pre-treated with remifentanil using clinically relevant, as well as higher and lower concentrations or relevant concentrations of fentanyl.


RESULTS
Concentrations of remifentanil (50 ng/mL) similar to the relevant plasma concentration were able to inhibit PMNL migration through ECM significantly (migration compared to the control 82+/-7% SD; P<0.05), when both cell types were treated with the synthetic narcotic remifentanil. Fentanyl (30 ng/mL) showed a stronger inhibitory effect (migration compared to the control 67+/-9.2%; P<0.05). Endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression was reduced after either remifentanil or fentanyl.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present investigation indicate that remifentanil influences interaction of ECM against human neutrophils. Compared to fentanyl, remifentanil seems to exhibit minor inhibitory effects on neutrophil migration.
Hofbauer
R
R
Department of Internal Medicine, MICU, University of Vienna, Austria. roland.hofbauer@akh-wien.ac.at
Frass
M
M
Gmeiner
B
B
Sandor
N
N
Schumann
R
R
Wagner
O
O
Kaye
A D
AD
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077208:Remifentanil
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010880:Piperidines; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D000077208:Remifentanil