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Published on: October 20, 2012
Changes in serum cytokines in response to musculoskeletal surgical trauma
Olav Reikeras1, Pål Borgen, Janne Elin Reseland
1Department of Orthopaedics, Oslo University Clinic, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. olav.reikeras@ous-hf.no.
Background:
Trauma induces local and subsequent systemic inflammatory reactions, and when the cytokine production is deregulated, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome with a potentially lethal outcome can occur. The understanding of the physiological mechanism of the cytokine network would be useful to better comprehend pathological conditions.
Methods:
We analysed a panel of 30 cytokines in the serum of 20 patients operated with total hip replacement. Cytokine release was assessed postoperatively up to 6 days by a multiplex antibody bead kit and compared to pre-operative values.
Results:
Surgery induced significant increments in serum levels of IL-2R at 6 days after surgery, in levels of IL-6 at 6 hours after surgery and at 1 day after surgery, in levels of IL-8 at 6 hours after surgery, in levels of IL-16 at 6 hours and at 1 day after surgery. Significant decreases in serum levels of IL-1Rα were found at the end of surgery, in levels of IL-12 at the end of surgery and at 6 hours after, and in levels of Eotaxin during all phases of the postoperative course.
Conclusions:
The major findings were significant increases in systemic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-16, while IL-12 was significantly decreased. Otherwise there were modest changes in the systemic cytokine kinetics and no significant expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Insights
Following hip replacement surgery, key pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and IL-8 increased, while IL-12 decreased. Understanding these cytokine changes is crucial for managing trauma responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Surgical Inflammation
- Cytokine Networks
Background:
- Trauma triggers inflammatory responses, which can become deregulated, leading to potentially fatal systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
- Understanding cytokine network physiology aids comprehension of pathological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze systemic cytokine changes following total hip replacement surgery.
- To investigate the kinetics of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines postoperatively.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 20 patients undergoing total hip replacement were analyzed.
- A panel of 30 cytokines was measured using a multiplex antibody bead kit up to 6 days post-surgery.
- Cytokine levels were compared to pre-operative values.
Main Results:
- Significant increases observed in Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), and Interleukin-16 (IL-16) post-surgery.
- Significant decreases noted in Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and Eotaxin levels.
- Interleukin-2 Receptor (IL-2R) levels increased by day 6.
Conclusions:
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and IL-16 significantly increased systemically after surgery.
- A significant decrease in IL-12 was observed.
- Modest changes in other cytokine kinetics and no significant expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines were found.
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