Effect of hypertonic saline infusion on postoperative cellular immune function: a randomized controlled clinical...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Surgical Research
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Previous research indicates hypertonicity influences immune responses in animal models and human cell cultures.
• The current study explores the impact of preoperative hypertonic saline infusion on the human cellular immune response to surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of hypertonic saline on the cellular immune response in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.
• To determine if preoperative hypertonic saline infusion modulates postoperative immune function.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-two women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were randomized to receive infusions of 7.5% NaCl, 0.9% NaCl (4 ml/kg), or 0.9% NaCl (32 ml/kg).
• Immune parameters including leukocyte counts, mononuclear cell phenotyping, natural killer cell activity, lymphocyte proliferation, and delayed-type hypersensitivity were assessed.
• Blood samples were collected at multiple time points before, during, and after surgery.

Main Results:

• Surgical procedures induced expected changes in the cellular immune response.
• These surgical effects on immune response were independent of the tonicity or volume of the infused saline solutions.

Conclusions:

• A clinically relevant dose of hypertonic saline did not appear to modify the postoperative cellular immune response in patients undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy.
• The findings suggest that hypertonic saline infusion does not significantly impact the immune system's response to this type of surgery.