The changes of β-endorphin level in the peripheral leukocytes and plasma of patients under general anesthesia during perioperative period

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes of the number of peripheral leukocytes as well as β-endorphin(β-EP) level in the peripheral leukocytes and plasma of patients under general anesthesia during perioperative period. Methods A total of 48 ASA I-II patients aging from 24 to 65 years old who were under general intravenous anesthesia for scheduled surgery were enrolled into the current study. The total number and types of peripheral leukocytes were determined during perioperative period. The peripheral blood was collected before(T1) and after anesthesia(T2). Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentage and mean fluorescence intensity(MFI) of leukocytes with fluorescent positive β-EP. The level of plasma β-EP was measured by radioimmunoassay. Results The total number of leukocytes at T2[(10.80±3.39)×109/L] was significantly higher than that at T1[(5.55±1.64)×109/L](P<0.01). The number of granulocytes at T2 [(8.82±3.10)×109/L] was remarkably higher than that at T1 [(3.27±1.32)×109/L], which was more obvious than others. The number of monocytes at T2[(0.64±0.38)×109/L] was remarkably higher than that at T1 [(0.43±0.18)×109/L](P<0.01). The number of lymphocytes at T2 [(1.29±0.47)×109/L] was markedly lower than that at T1[(1.73±0.56)×109/L](P<0.01). The MFI of β-EP in each type of leukocytes at T2 was markedly lower than that at T1(P<0.05). The level of plasma β-EP at T2 was also significantly reduced compared with that at T1(P<0.01). Conclusions The number of peripheral leukocytes in patients under general anesthesia during perioperative period is increased, where the most increase can be attributed to the change of granulocytes, compared with reduced levels of leukocytes and plasma β-EP. The cell number and β-EP level are associated with perioperative endogenous analgesia and stress reaction. Key words: Anesthesia, general; Perioperative period; β-endorphin; Leukocytes