Dextran 70 administration after trauma-hemorrhagic shock does not impair cellular immune functions

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Trauma Research
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Trauma-hemorrhage shock significantly impairs immune function.
• The effects of dextran 70, a common resuscitation fluid, on cell-mediated immunity post-trauma-hemorrhage are not well understood.
• Previous studies examined dextran 70's impact on anaphylactoid reactions and phagocytosis, but not specific immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of dextran 70 on specific cell-mediated immunity after trauma-hemorrhage shock.
• To determine if dextran 70 administration impacts immune cell function and cytokine release.
• To assess the safety of dextran 70 as a resuscitation adjunct from an immunological perspective.

Main Methods:

• Mice underwent trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) or LRS with dextran 70.
• Control groups received no hemorrhage or resuscitation.
• Immune cell function (splenocyte proliferation, cytokine release including IL-2, IL-3, IL-6) was assessed at 2 and 24 hours post-resuscitation.

Main Results:

• Trauma-hemorrhage significantly suppressed lymphokine release, splenocyte proliferation, and IL-6 release.
• Dextran 70 did not restore lymphocyte functions but also did not cause further suppression.
• Interleukin-6 release from macrophages and serum IL-6 levels remained comparable between LRS and LRS + dextran 70 groups.

Conclusions:

• Dextran 70, when combined with LRS, does not adversely affect ex vivo cell-mediated immune functions within 24 hours post-trauma-hemorrhage.
• Immunologically, dextran 70 is a safe fluid for resuscitation in this context.
• Dextran 70 can be considered a safe adjunct for fluid resuscitation in trauma-hemorrhage patients.