Cytokine and immunoglobulin levels in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy

Introduction: Surgery could directly cause an inflammatory response and stimulate the release of cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-10. Infection and postoperative complications are higher risk factors after craniotomy, and the impairment of immune function is associated with post infection and complications. The aim of our study was to investigate the changings of cytokines and immunoglobulins levels in patients received craniotomy surgery. Methods: A total of 18 patients undergoing craniotomy were studied. Blood samples were collected before anesthesia (T0) , 30 min(T1), 2h(T2), 4h(T3) after induction of anesthesia, and 1 day post-surgery (T4), 2 days post-surgery (T5); the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IgM, IgA, IgG were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS 13.0 software using repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by a Bonferroni correction. Results: Compared with T0, the peripheral blood IgA levels decreased significantly at T2, T3 and T4 time points. The peripheral blood IgM levels decreased significantly at T2 and T3 time points. IL-10 in peripheral blood increased significantly at T2, T3 and T4 compared with T0 time point. IL-8 in peripheral blood increased significantly at T3, T4 and T5 time point. The concentration of the TNF-α and IgG in peripheral blood did not change significantly. Conclusions: Anaesthesia and surgery can cause pro-inflammatory response and antiinflammatory response in patient undergoing craniotomy; the immune function was suppressed at the same time.