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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Cecal Ligation Puncture Procedure
Published on: May 7, 2011
[Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6-plasma concentrations in laparotomies. Interaction with neuroendocrine
T A Crozier1, J E Müller, D Quittkatt
1Zentrum Anaesthesiologie, Rettungs- und Intensivmedizin, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen.
Insights
Surgical trauma significantly increases interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) levels. While IL-6 correlates with cortisol, neither interleukin appears to affect body temperature post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Surgical Physiology
Context:
- Post-traumatic and post-surgical stress responses involve elevated body temperature, cortisol, and disrupted circadian patterns.
- Interleukins, such as IL-1 beta and IL-6, are endogenous pyrogens and can stimulate ACTH and cortisol secretion, suggesting a potential role in these stress responses.
Purpose:
- To investigate the hypothesis that interleukins IL-1 beta and IL-6 are involved in the physiological changes observed after surgical trauma.
- To examine the relationship between IL-1 beta, IL-6, cortisol, prolactin, and body temperature following hysterectomy.
Summary:
- Surgical trauma significantly elevates plasma concentrations of IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, IL-1 beta.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between IL-6 and cortisol levels in the postoperative period.
- No evidence was found to support a direct effect of IL-1 beta or IL-6 on body temperature, though IL-6 may influence postoperative prolactin levels.
Impact:
- This study elucidates the role of specific interleukins in the endocrine and physiological responses to surgical stress.
- Findings contribute to understanding the complex interplay between the immune and endocrine systems during the perioperative period.
- Highlights the potential involvement of IL-6 in the altered cortisol secretion patterns post-surgery.
Abstract:
Elevated body temperature, increased plasma cortisol concentrations, and loss of the circadian secretory pattern are typical changes observed after trauma and surgery. We investigated the hypothesis that the interleukins IL-1 beta and IL-6 are involved in these phenomena, since both are endogenous pyrogens and can induce ACTH and cortisol secretion. METHODS. Eight healthy women undergoing hysterectomy for non-malignant diseases participated in the study after having given written consent. The study had the approval of our institution's ethics committee. Anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl 0.1 mg and methohexitone 1.5 mg/kg and maintained with isoflurane in 60% N2O and 40% O2. Blood samples were drawn before induction, before incision, during surgery, at the end of surgery, and 30, 60, 120, 240 and 360 min after surgery. Cortisol, prolactin, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 concentrations were determined with commercially available ELISAs. Statistical analysis was performed with non-parametric methods. RESULTS. IL-6 increased significantly from 15 (4.3-23) to 68 (18-107) pg/ml (medians and range) at the end of surgery and peaked at 128 (52-214) pg/ml 60 min postoperatively (p < 0.01, Table 2). Baseline IL-1 beta concentrations were 20 (1-35) pg/ml with a significant increase in median postoperative concentrations in the postoperative period (p < 0.001). Prolactin increased from 22 (13-43) to 210 (115-291) ng/ml immediately after induction of anaesthesia (p < 0.001) and remained elevated until 240 min after surgery. Cortisol increased from 99 (26-167) to 384 (241-553) ng/ml during surgery and reached a maximum of 475 (246-597) ng/ml 30 min postoperatively (Table 3). Rectal and mean body temperatures increased significantly in the postoperative period (Table 1). There was a significant correlation between IL-6 and cortisol concentrations (r = 0.468; p < 0.001), but none was found between IL-6 and temperature or between IL-1 beta and cortisol or temperature. CONCLUSIONS. Surgical trauma markedly stimulates the secretion of IL-6, and to a lesser extent that of IL-1 beta. The data do not yield any evidence indicating an effect of IL-1 beta or IL-6 on body temperature. Postoperative prolactin concentrations might be influenced by IL-6. The positive correlation between plasma concentrations of IL-6 and cortisol may be coincidental, but could reflect a causal relationship, particularly in the postoperative period during which time the circadian pattern of cortisol secretion is disturbed.
