Dynamic change of reticuloendothelial system function after surgical stress

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Surgical Physiology
• Pharmacokinetics

Background:

• The reticuloendothelial system (RES) plays a crucial role in immune surveillance.
• The precise effects of surgical stress on RES function remain incompletely understood.
• A novel in vivo functional test for RES assessment has been developed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the normal range of RES function in healthy volunteers.
• To investigate the dynamic changes in RES function following distal gastrectomy.
• To evaluate the utility of the chondroitin sulfate iron colloid test for monitoring RES function.

Main Methods:

• An in vivo functional test using chondroitin sulfate iron colloid was employed.
• RES function was assessed in 12 healthy volunteers to determine normal ranges.
• RES function was monitored in 14 patients undergoing distal gastrectomy before and after surgery.

Main Results:

• Healthy volunteers exhibited a maximum phagocytic velocity of 0.0310 +/- 0.0052 mg/kg/min and a membrane-particle constant of 0.575 +/- 0.205 mg/kg.
• Postoperative RES function in surgical patients showed a significant increase in maximum phagocytic velocity and membrane-particle constant compared to preoperative values.
• Specifically, maximum phagocytic velocity increased on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, with the membrane-particle constant peaking on day 3.

Conclusions:

• Abdominal surgery augments the total capacity of the RES.
• Functional phagocytic efficiency of the RES is diminished after abdominal surgery.
• The observed changes in RES function are attributed to immunological alterations induced by surgical stress.
• The chondroitin sulfate iron colloid test is a valuable tool for monitoring dynamic changes in RES function.