Different effects of anesthetics on spontaneous leukocyte rolling in rat skin

In immunological reactions, leukocytes need to travel from the intravascular space through the vessel wall into the surrounding tissue. The first step in this process is leukocyte rolling, which has often been studied in anesthetized animals. In this study, we investigated the effect of pentobarbital, Hypnorm and both components of the latter, fentanyl and fluanisone, on this primary leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction. Using intravital brightfield video microscopy, observations were made in postcapillary venules in the intact skin of the nailfold of trained conscious Lewis rats. Subsequently, the animals were anesthetized and observations were made in vivo. Leukocyte rolling was significantly elevated after injection of Hypnorm or fentanyl, while pentobarbital and fluanisone had no effect. None of the anesthetics affected leukocyte rolling velocity. Blood flow was significantly increased only after injection of Hypnorm and fluanisone. No correlation existed between the relative changes in leukocyte rolling and concomitant changes in blood flow. The results show that the level of leukocyte rolling can be affected by anesthetics. These changes are probably not mediated by changes in local hemodynamics. Pentobarbital anesthesia does not influence leukocyte rolling. Therefore, pentobarbital is a suitable anesthetic for observation of leukocyte rolling in skin. Hypnorm significantly increases the level of rolling in skin venules. This effect seems to be caused mainly by fentanyl.