Immunomodulatory Effects of Volatile Anesthetic Sevoflurane on Cardiomyocytes after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting:...

Volatile anesthetics, particularly sevoflurane, have demonstrated cardioprotective properties during cardiac surgery. However, their immunomodulatory mechanisms at the molecular level remain unclear. Given the close relationship between cardiac injury and immune responses, understanding how anesthetic agents influence immune-related pathways may provide new insights into perioperative myocardial protection. This study aimed to explore the immunological and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of sevoflurane anesthesia on cardiomyocytes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Gene expression data (GSE4386) from myocardial tissues of CABG patients anesthetized with sevoflurane or propofol were analyzed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using R software, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed to identify key immune-associated hub genes. A total of 211 DEGs were identified. Functional enrichment revealed that these genes were predominantly associated with immune and inflammatory processes, including leukocyte activation, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and chemokine signaling pathways. Hub genes such as ITGAM, PTPRC, TYROBP, TLR2, and TLR4 were identified as central immune regulators potentially mediating the cardioprotective and immunomodulatory effects of sevoflurane. Sevoflurane anesthesia may confer myocardial protection after CABG by modulating immune-related signaling pathways and inflammatory gene expression. These findings highlight the immunoregulatory potential of volatile anesthetics, providing novel perspectives for immune-targeted strategies in perioperative cardiac management.