[Differential expressions of serum cytokines in cognitive dysfunction patients after colorectal surgery]

To evaluate the serum levels of cytokines in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) patients having received colorectal surgery.

Eighty patients who had received colorectal surgery were enrolled in the study based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Cognitive function was assessed on day 1 before operation and day 7 after operation using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Serum levels of 120 cytokines were measured at two time points (day 1 before surgery and 4 hours after surgery) using high-throughput cytokine screening. Serum interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-11, IL-17, Fas, methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein 3 (MCP3), myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1), macrophage inflammatory protein 3 alpha (MIP-3α), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined by ELISA.

Seventy-seven patients completed both neurocognitive tests and blood samples collection. Nineteen cases were diagnosed with POCD at 7 days after surgery. The age, ASA classification and diabetes incidence of POCD patients were significantly higher and the education level was lower than those in patients without POCD. Serum IL-17, Fas, MIP-3α levels were higher and leptin was lower when compared with non-POCD patients at 1 day before surgery. Serum IL-6, IL-11, IL-17, MCP3, MPIF-1, MIP-3α levels were higher and BDNF was lower when compared with non-POCD group at 4 hours after surgery. In POCD group, serum IL-6, IL-17, MCP3 and MPIF-1 levels at 4 hours postoperatively were higher when compared with ones at 1 day preoperatively. In non-POCD group, serum IL-6 and IL-17 at 4 hours postoperatively were higher while Fas and BDNF were lower when compared with ones at 1 day preoperatively.

Serum cytokines IL-6, IL-11, IL-17, Fas, MPIF-1, MIP-3α, MCP3, leptin, BDNF were found to display differential expressions in POCD patients after colorectal surgery.