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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
Expression of heat shock protein 70 mRNA in polymorphonuclear cells responding to surgical stress
K Ohse1, S Yashiki, T Fujiyoshi
1Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Sakuragaoka, Japan.
Purpose:
This study was performed to investigate the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 mRNA in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) as a possible new biomarker for surgical stress.
Methods:
The HSP70 mRNA in PMN of 10 patients who underwent lobectomy was evaluated by Northern blot analysis. Their leukocyte counts, including white blood cells (WBC) and PMN, plasma cortisol levels, and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, were obtained by cell counting, radioimmunoassay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
Results:
The level of HSP70 mRNA in PMN slightly increased at the end of surgery and showed a significant increase 6 h after surgery. It promptly decreased at 24 h postoperatively and returned to the basal preanesthetic level 48 h after surgery. On the other hand, WBC/PMN counts, plasma cortisol, and IL-6 significantly increased at the end of surgery. WBC/PMN counts remained at increased levels until 48 h postoperatively. Cortisol peaked at 6 h postoperatively and gradually decreased. IL-6 reached a maximum at 1 h postoperatively, then tapered down to its basal level at 48 h postoperatively.
Conclusion:
Expression of HSP70 mRNA in PMN that is induced after thoracic surgery appears to be a promising candidate as a marker for evaluating surgical stress.
Insights
Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 mRNA in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) is a promising biomarker for surgical stress. Its expression increases post-thoracic surgery, offering a new way to evaluate patient response.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Surgical stress elicits complex physiological responses.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for surgical stress is crucial for patient management.
- Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are involved in cellular stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate heat shock protein (HSP) 70 mRNA expression in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN).
- To evaluate HSP70 mRNA in PMN as a potential biomarker for surgical stress.
- To correlate HSP70 mRNA levels with other stress markers after thoracic surgery.
Main Methods:
- HSP70 mRNA expression in PMN was analyzed using Northern blot analysis in 10 patients undergoing lobectomy.
- Leukocyte counts (WBC and PMN), plasma cortisol, and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured.
- Measurements were taken pre-anesthetically, at the end of surgery, and at 6, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively.
Main Results:
- HSP70 mRNA levels in PMN showed a significant increase 6 hours post-surgery, returning to baseline by 48 hours.
- White blood cell (WBC)/PMN counts, plasma cortisol, and IL-6 levels significantly increased during and after surgery.
- Cortisol peaked at 6 hours postoperatively, while IL-6 peaked at 1 hour, with both gradually decreasing.
Conclusions:
- Expression of HSP70 mRNA in PMN is induced following thoracic surgery.
- HSP70 mRNA in PMN shows potential as a novel biomarker for assessing surgical stress.
- This finding may aid in the objective evaluation of the body's response to surgical procedures.
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