The Effect of Local Anesthetics on Neutrophils in the Context of Different Isolation Techniques

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play crucial roles in disease and post-operative changes.
• Local anesthetics (LAs) are known to influence PMN functions, but effects vary with isolation methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of selected LAs on PMN functions.
• To compare the effects of LAs using a novel isolation method versus conventional techniques.

Main Methods:

• PMNs were isolated using gelafundin sedimentation, hypotonic lysis, or density gradient centrifugation.
• Isolated PMNs were exposed to varying concentrations of bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, lidocaine, or ropivacaine.
• Live cell imaging and flow cytometry assessed migration, ROS production, NETosis, and antigen expression.

Main Results:

• LAs inhibited PMN chemotaxis and ROS production.
• Bupivacaine and lidocaine significantly reduced NETosis time, while levobupivacaine and ropivacaine did not.
• Isolation methods influenced PMN survival time and migration duration.

Conclusions:

• Selected LAs can modulate in vitro PMN functions, including migration, ROS production, and NETosis.
• The choice of LA and isolation method impacts observed PMN responses.
• Careful selection of LAs may have short-term effects on in vitro PMN behavior.