title: Effects of sevoflurane general anesthesia: immunological studies in mice.
abstract: Based on the immunomodulatory effects of anesthesia and surgery, a study was undertaken to assess the effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on the immune system in a murine model without surgery. Adult male mice were anesthetized with 3% sevoflurane (1.2 minimal alveolar concentration, MAC) in oxygen for 40 min, whereas nontreated animals served as controls. After sevoflurane anesthesia, peripheral blood leukocyte counts, the splenic composition and in vitro macrophage phagocytic activity and lymphoproliferative response were assessed. The in vivo specific immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), a conventional T-dependent antigen was determined. In addition, liver, spleen, thymus and kidney histopathology and also hepatic and renal functions after anesthesia were studied. Sevoflurane diminished the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes and splenic B-cell counts, enhancing CD4+ lymphocytes in spleen. The in vitro functionality of macrophages and the mitogen-induced lymphoproliferative response were preserved, while the in vivo immune response to SRBC was enhanced in treated animals. Microscopic studies revealed conserved architecture of the spleen, thymus, lymph node, liver and kidney, and there were no differences in serum parameters of hepatic and renal functions between treated and control groups. Our results suggest that 3 days after the anesthetic exposure, animals treated with sevoflurane modulated their peripheral blood leukocyte counts, splenic lymphoid composition and the characteristics of the specific response to SRBC, while there was no evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, School of Medicine, National University of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. norapuig@ciudad.com.ar
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Puig
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bay
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valenti
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amerio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elena
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002175:Candida / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D013723:Teratogens; D000077149:Sevoflurane