Oxygen tension‐associated changes on secondary immune response in halothane or isoflurane anesthetized mice

Abstract

The impact that reexposure to anesthetics delivered in 100% oxygen or in synthetic air (21% oxygen/79% nitrogen) has on the secondary humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells was studied. Mice were immunized twice with a 15-day interval and anesthetized immediately after each antigenic challenge with 1.5% halothane or 1.5% isoflurane for 40 min. Halothane in oxygen resulted in increased numbers of IgG-secreting cells (IgG-SC), while halothane in air depressed the response when compared to control mice. In contrast, isoflurane vaporized in oxygen did not affect IgG-SC numbers, while isoflurane given in air lowered the response. Furthermore, neither 100% oxygen, nor the stress of being in an anesthesia chamber breathing synthetic air for 40 min had any immunological effect in non-anesthetized mice. The inspired oxygen concentration during halothane or isoflurane anesthesia has an effect on the secondary immune response. The effect is different between halothane and isoflurane, possibly due to differences in the extent of their metabolic and pharmacodynamic properties.

Neopterin as a marker of immunostimulation: an investigation in anaesthetic workplaces

“…In response to anaesthetic exposure, humoral parameters, such as the number of immunoglobulin G secreting cells, are altered in animal studies [19,20]. Exposure to low concentrations of volatile anaesthetics seems to inhibit predominantly T-helper cell function [11].…”

“…Exposure to low concentrations of volatile anaesthetics seems to inhibit predominantly T-helper cell function [11]. It has been reported that low concentrations of anaesthetics preferentially impair T cell activity, whereas higher concentrations also affect B cells [19,20]. This effect could be explained by impaired T-helper cell activity that adversely affects B cell activity.…”

In vivo interaction of pulmonary intravascular macrophages with activated platelets in microvessels of equine lung after multiple exposures to halothane, isoflurane, and thiamylal: A comparative ultrastructural and cytochemical study

“…In contrast, neither anesthetic induced dramatic changes of cell membrane plasticity or hypertrophy of the Golgi apparatus, nor did they produce any profound effect on the platelets. Isoflurane shares the halothane-anesthetic mechanism, but displays very low biotransformation and shows no immune response in the same model (Baden and Rice, 1990;Puig et al, 1995;Elena et al, 1997). It has a reduced tendency to cause perturbation of the cell membrane when compared with halothane (Koubi et al, 2001).…”

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“…activation. Halothane increases the antibody titre 8 , and, as sevoflurane does, it increases the primary and secondary responses 5,8,9,20,21,27 .…”

“…Thus, part of the effect of anaesthetics on the immune system would be due to its action on the well-known immunomodulatory effect of glucocorticoids 3 . Diverse in vitro experiments with human immune cells 4 , ex vivo [5][6][7] , in vivo [8][9][10] or animal models have been used to study the effect of anaesthetic drugs on the immune system. .…”