Surgery induces human mononuclear cell arginase I expression.
BACKGROUND
Arginase is a metabolic enzyme for the amino acid arginine that participates in the immune response to trauma. We hypothesize that surgical trauma induces arginase expression and activity in the human immune system.


METHODS
Peripheral mononuclear cell (MNC) arginase activity and expression and plasma nitric oxide metabolites and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured in patients undergoing elective general surgery. Twenty-two healthy volunteers served as a comparison population.


RESULTS
MNC arginase activity increased within 6 hours of surgery (p < 0.05) and coincided with increased arginase I protein expression. Plasma nitric oxide metabolites decreased significantly postoperatively (p < 0.05). Patients lacking an elevation in IL-10 failed to demonstrate increased MNC arginase activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased MNC arginase expression may contribute to postsurgical immune dysfunction by affecting arginine use and availability and nitric oxide metabolism in the immune system. Plasma IL-10 may play a role in regulating MNC arginase activity.
Tsuei
B J
BJ
Department of Surgery, Vascular and Trauma/Critical Care Research Program, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. btsue@pop.uky.edu
Bernard
A C
AC
Shane
M D
MD
Shirley
L A
LA
Maley
M E
ME
Boulanger
B R
BR
Kearney
P A
PA
Ochoa
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001119:Arginase / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
D015850:Interleukin-6; D016753:Interleukin-10; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001119:Arginase