Perioperative changes in the plasma metabolome of patients receiving general anesthesia for pancreatic cancer surgery

Abstract

Background: Modern anesthesia strives to offer personalized concepts to meet the patient's individual needs in sight of clinical outcome. Still, little is known about the impact of anesthesia on the plasma metabolome, although many metabolites have been shown to modulate the function of various immune cells, making it particularly interesting in the context of oncological surgery. In this study longitudinal dynamics in the plasma metabolome during general anesthesia in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery were analyzed.Materials and Methods: Prospective, observational study with 10 patients diagnosed with pancreatic (pre-) malignancy and subjected to elective resection surgery under general anesthesia. Plasma metabolites (n = 630) were quantified at eight consecutive perioperative timepoints using mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics.Results: 39 metabolites significantly changed during the perioperative period. Tryptophan concentrations decreased by 45% with the maximum decrease after anesthesia induction (p = 6.24E-07), while taurine synthesis increased (p = 1.46E-04). Triacylglycerides and lysophosphatidylcholines were significantly reduced with increased liberation of free monounsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.03). Carnitine levels decreased significantly (p = 9.30E-04).Conclusions: The major finding of this study was perioperative tryptophan depletion and increased taurine synthesis. Both are essential for immune cell function and are therefore of significant interest for perioperative management. Further studies are needed to identify influencing anesthetic factors.

Serum Metabolite Biomarkers for Pancreatic Tumors: Neuroendocrine and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas—A Preliminary Study

“…According to reports in the literature, supplementation with L-carnitine led to an increase in body mass index and an increase in overall survival in advanced pancreatic cancer patients [ 26 ]. Lower levels of carnitines were found among metabolites significantly changed during the perioperative period in patients diagnosed with pancreatic (pre-) malignancy and subjected to elective resection surgery under general anesthesia [ 27 ]. Additionally, the dexamethasone treatment results in higher carnitine levels compared to patients who did not receive dexamethasone [ 27 ].…”

“…Lower levels of carnitines were found among metabolites significantly changed during the perioperative period in patients diagnosed with pancreatic (pre-) malignancy and subjected to elective resection surgery under general anesthesia [ 27 ]. Additionally, the dexamethasone treatment results in higher carnitine levels compared to patients who did not receive dexamethasone [ 27 ].…”