Effect of dexmedetomidine on perioperative cellular immune function in elderly patients undergoing radical operation for gastrointestinal cancer

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on perioperative cellular immune function in elderly patients undergoing radical operation for gastrointestinal cancer.Methods Forty ASA physical status Ⅰ-ll patients,aged 65-82 yr,weighing 43-80 kg,undergoing elective radical operation for gastrointestinal cancer,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).Anesthesia was induced with sufentanil,propofol and rocuronium and maintained with inhalation of sevoflurane,infusion of propofol and intermittent iv boluses of sufentanil and rocuronium.A loading dose of dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg was infused intravenously over 10 min starting from 30 min before induction of anesthesia,followed by infusion at 0.3 μg· kg-t· h-1 until the end of operation in group D.The equal volume of normal saline was given in C group.Venous blood samples were obtained at 30 min before induction,and 1,24 and 72 h after operation for determination of plasma concentrations of interferon (IFN)-γ,interleukin (IL)-2,IL-10 and IL-4 by ELISA.Results Compared with group C,the plasma concentrations of IFN-γand IL-2 were significantly increased,and the plasma concentration of IL-10 was decreased at each time point after operation (P ＜ 0.05),while no significant change was found in the plasma concentration of IL-4 at each time point after operation in group D (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can improve the perioperative cellular immune function in elderly patients undergoing radical operation for gastrointestinal cancer. Key words: Dexmedetomidine;  Immunity, cellular;  Gastrointestinal cancer