Changes in serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) after surgical intervention

To evaluate the physiological role of G-CSF following surgery, we measured the serum levels of immunoreactive IL-6 and G-CSF sequentially in nine patients after major elective thoracoabdominal surgery for esophageal carcinoma. Both G-CSF and IL-6 levels reached their maxima at the first postoperative day and decreased thereafter. There was a significant correlation between serum G-CSF (y) and IL-6 (x) levels (y = 3.273x + 3.991; r = 0.787, n = 78, p < 0.001). In the case that developed aspiration pneumonia and ARDS at the second postoperative day, the measured G-CSF level was less than half the predicted value. The relationship between serum G-CSF and IL-6 levels supports the central role of G-CSF as the host defense response modifier and, thus, low G-CSF levels in the circulation is one reason for the immunodeficient state after major surgery.