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Introduction

Patients receiving radical operation of colon carcinoma need anesthesia during the surgical treatment (1,2). At present, dexmedetomidine, as a new type of adrenergic receptor agonist, is increasingly widely used in the field of anesthesia (3–5). The drug has been commonly used as the preoperative sedative, regional anesthesia adjuvant and general anesthesia adjuvant (6,7). It is clinically found that the drug also has an anti-inflammatory effect (8–10). Therefore, 141 patients receiving radical operation of colon carcinoma in Jining No. 1 People's Hospital (Jining, China) from January 2014 to April 2017 were selected in this study, and dexmedetomidine anesthesia was induced, so as to explore the anti-inflammatory and immune effects of the sedative, and provide a more scientific clinical basis.

Patients and methods

General data

A total of 141 patients receiving radical operation of colon carcinoma in Jining No. 1 People's Hospital (Shandong, China) from January 2014 to April 2017 were collected, including 69 cases in the control group and 72 cases in the treatment group. There were 33 males and 36 females in the control group, and 36 males and 36 females in the treatment group. In the control group, they were aged 34–67 years with an average age of 45.3±5.0 years, and in the treatment group, they were aged 35–69 years with an average age of 42.5±4.3 years. Patients in the two groups were all in I–II of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Jining No. 1 People's Hospital. Signed written informed consents were obtained from all patients or their guardians before the study. Exclusion criteria: Patients with damage in heart, liver or kidney, or systemic immune system diseases.

Methods

Before the operation, the patients were fasting for 12 h before anesthesia and general anesthesia was performed before the operation. The method of anesthesia induction is as follows: The patients were given intravenous injection of midazolam (0.05 mg/kg), vecuronium (0.1 mg/kg), etomidate (0.3 mg/kg) and fentanyl (1.0 µg/kg). During ventilation, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO2) was set at 35–45 mmHg and fentanyl was administered via veno-micropump target control with the infusion rate of 0.03–0.2 µg/(kg·min). The tidal volume of the ventilator was set at 8–10 ml/kg, with a frequency of 12–16 times/min, and PETCO2 of 35–45 mmHg. The infusion rate of fentanyl was controlled to adjust the depth of anesthesia. Intravenous injection of urapidil or ephedrine was selected according to the change in SBP value. Sevoflurane inhalation was discontinued following the completion of operation and fentanyl (0.5 µg/kg) was administered intravenously after operation for systemic analgesia. The patients in the treatment group were given pump infusion of dexmedetomidine [1 µg/kg over 10–15 min as a loading dose; then the pump flow rate was set as 1 µg/(kg·h)] before operation, while the patients in the control group received pump injection of the same amount of normal saline.

Evaluation of the efficacy

Ramsay sedation score: Patients were scored before operation and at 0.5, 12 and 24 h after operation, respectively. Patients with irritability and restlessness: 1 point; patients who were cooperative and quiet: 2 points; patients with lethargy and obeying orders: 3 points, patients who could be awakened during sleep: 4 points; patients with slow reaction when being called: 5 points; patients who could not be awakened when being called: 6 points.

Observational indexes

The levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), serum IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) of patients in the two groups were observed during perioperative period. Besides, the levels of T lymphocyte subsets of patients in two groups were observed by flow cytometry. The dosages of fentanyl used during operation and after operation were recorded.

Statistical analysis

Data were processed by SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Measurement data and counting data were expressed by mean ± standard deviation (SD) and n, respectively, and t-test and chi-square test were used for intergroup comparison. P<0.05 suggested that the difference was statistically significant.

Results

Comparison of general data between two groups

The general data of patients in the two groups were compared: In the treatment group, the average age was 42.5±4.3 years, body weight was 52±3.5 kg, ASA grade was I–II, anesthesia time 109.2±7.4 min, operation time 98.7±4.3 min, and amount of bleeding was 59.2±3.2 ml; in the control group, the average age was 45.3±5.0 years, body weight 56±4.3 kg, ASA grade I–II, anesthesia time 110.5±7.4 min, operation time 99.3±4.8 min, and amount of bleeding was 58.8±3.0 ml. The anesthesia time and the amount of bleeding in the two groups were similar (Table I).

Table I. Comparison of general data between two groups (mean ± SD).

Table I.

Comparison of general data between two groups (mean ± SD).

Group	Age (years)	Body weight (kg)	ASA grade	Anesthesia time (min)	Operation time (min)	Amount of bleeding (ml)
Treatment group	42.5±4.3	52±3.5	I–II	109.2±7.4	98.7±4.3	59.2±3.2
Control group	45.3±5.0	56±4.3	I–II	110.5±7.4	99.3±4.8	58.8±3.0

Effects of NF-κB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum sICAM-1 and IL-8 levels in the two groups

There were no significant differences in the preoperative levels of NF-κB, sICAM-1 and IL-8 in patients between the two groups. However, they were increased and then decreased at 0.5 and 24 h after operation; the contents of three indexes of patients in both groups were significantly increased at two time-points after operation, and the degree of the increase in control group was significantly higher than that of the treatment group (P<0.05), with statistical significance (Table II).

Table II. Effects of NF-κB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum sICAM-1 and IL-8 levels in two groups (mean ± SD).

Table II.

Effects of NF-κB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum sICAM-1 and IL-8 levels in two groups (mean ± SD).

Group	Time	NF-κB (U/l)	sICAM-1 (mg/l)	IL-8 (pg/ml)
Treatment group	Preoperative	24.56±1.98	320.8±8.6	19.2±1.0
	0.5 h after operation	33.79±2.65a	507.2±7.5a	45.7±2.7a
	24 h after operation	28.31±2.51a	498.8±10.0a	24.5±1.9a
Control group	Preoperative	25.06±2.48	334.3±6.9	19.8±2.8
	0.5 h after operation	42.59±3.65a,b	588.5±8.6a,b	59.8±3.0a,b
	24 h after operation	32.32±2.86a,b	543.1±9.5a,b	34.3±2.8a,b

a Compared with that before operation, P<0.05

b compared with that in treatment group, P<0.05.

Comparisons of serum IL-6, TNF-α and CRP levels in patients between two groups

In the treatment group, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and CRP before treatment were 3.25±0.98, 16.27±2.21 pg/ml and 4.45±0.32 mg/l, respectively; the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and CRP at 0.5 h after operation were 70.56±3.21, 15.02±2.06 pg/ml and 5.78±0.19 mg/l, respectively; and the levels of the three indexes at 24 h after operation were 60.72±2.98, 19.72±2.34 pg/ml and 3.21±0.12 mg/l, respectively. In the control group, the levels of the three indexes before operation were 3.69±0.65, 16.83±3.01 pg/ml and 4.29±0.18 mg/l, respectively; the levels of the three indexes at 0.5 h after operation were 90.56±3.65, 16.75±2.10 pg/ml and 8.12±0.21 mg/l, respectively; and the levels of the three indexes at 24 h after operation were 67.97±3.98, 18.98±2.03 pg/ml and 4.54±0.32 mg/l, respectively. It was found that the levels of IL-6 in two groups were increased at 0.5 and 24 h after operation, and the levels of IL-6 in the control group were significantly higher than that in the treatment group. The postoperative level of CRP was higher than that before operation, and the postoperative level in the control group was higher than that in the treatment group (Table III).

Table III. Comparison of serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and CRP in patients between two groups (mean ± SD).

Table III.

Comparison of serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and CRP in patients between two groups (mean ± SD).

Group	Time	IL-6 (pg/ml)	TNF-α (pg/ml)	CRP (mg/l)
Treatment group	Preoperative	3.25±0.98	16.27±2.21	4.45±0.32
	0.5 h after operation	70.56±3.21a	15.02±2.06	5.78±0.19a
	24 h after operation	60.72±2.98a	19.72±2.34	4.21±0.12
Control group	Preoperative	3.69±0.65	16.83±3.01	4.29±0.18
	0.5 h after operation	90.56±3.65a,b	16.75±2.10	8.12±0.21a,b
	24 h after operation	67.97±3.98a,b	18.98±2.03	4.54±0.32

a Compared with that before operation, P<0.05

b compared with that in treatment group, P<0.05.

Comparison of Ramsay scores between two groups

The preoperative Ramsay scores of patients in the treatment group and the control group were 1.97±0.21 and 1.98±0.15 points, respectively. The Ramsay scores 0.5 h after operation of patients in two groups were 4.13±0.43 and 2.59±0.18 points, respectively. The Ramsay scores at 12 h after operation of patients in two groups were 2.34±0.17 and 1.99±0.10 points, respectively. The Ramsay scores at 24 h after operation of patients in two groups were 2.05±0.19 and 2.06±0.12 points, respectively. The results showed that the Ramsay scores of patients in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group at 0.5 and 12 h after operation, and the differences were significant between the two groups (Table IV).

Table IV. Comparison of Ramsay scores between two groups (mean ± SD).

Table IV.

Comparison of Ramsay scores between two groups (mean ± SD).

Group	Case	Before operation	0.5 h after operation	12 h after operation	24 h after operation
Treatment group	72	1.97±0.21	4.13±0.43	2.34±0.17	2.05±0.19
Control group	69	1.98±0.15	2.59±0.18a	1.99±0.10a	2.06±0.12

a Compared with the treatment group, P<0.05.

Changes in levels of T lymphocyte subsets in patients during perioperative period between two groups

The levels of T lymphocyte subsets had no difference between the two groups at the first time point. The CD3+T, CD4+T, CD4+T/CD8+T, Th1 and Th1/Th2 in two groups were lower at T2 and T3 than those at T0, and the Treg values at T2 and T3 were significantly higher than those at T0. It was also found that the indexes of CD3+T, CD4+T, CD4+T/CD8+T, Th1 and Th1/Th2 in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, and the Treg value was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) (Table V).

Table V. Changes in levels of T lymphocyte subsets in patients during perioperative period between two groups (mean ± SD).

Table V.

Changes in levels of T lymphocyte subsets in patients during perioperative period between two groups (mean ± SD).

Group	Time	CD3+T (%)	CD4+T (%)	CD8+T (%)	CD4+T/CD8+T	Th1 (%)	Th2 (%)	Th1/Th2	Th17 (%)	Treg (%)
Treatment group	T0	61.9±8.6	45.7±6.9	14.5±2.4	2.9±1.0	29.9±3.7	2.8±1.0	16.9±4.6	2.5±0.8	3.3±1.1
	T1 (6 hours)	58.3±8.5	45.0±7.2	15.6±4.2	2.6±0.9	28.9±5.3	2.7±0.9	15.6±4.3	2.3±0.9	3.0±1.0
	T2 (1 day)	57.2±7.5a	44.3±6.9a	15.7±3.8	2.5±1.0a	27.9±4.8a	2.9±0.8	14.3±4.9a	2.4±1.2	3.6±1.2a
	T3 (2 days)	58.4±8.2a	43.9±7.5a	15.9±4.0	2.7±1.2a	27.6±4.2a	2.9±0.9	14.3±5.2a	2.2±1.0	3.3±1.2a
	T4 (3 days)	60.1±7.9	44.5±6.9	14.5±3.7	2.5±0.9	27.5±4.0	2.8±0.8	14.5±5.0	2.5±0.9	3.5±1.0
Control group	T0	61.2±8.5	44.2±7.9	15.2±3.1	2.3±0.9	27.1±4.3	2.6±0.9	14.2±4.9	2.3±0.9	3.6±1.2
	T1 (6 hours)	59.4±7.9	42.0±7.4	17.3±3.7	2.2±1.0	25.6±4.8	2.7±0.9	13.7±3.9	2.0±1.0	3.5±1.3
	T2 (1 day)	56.2±9.6a,b	40.1±6.4a,b	17.8±4.1	1.9±0.8a,b	23.0±3.8a,b	2.2±1.0	11.5±2.9a,b	1.9±0.8	4.3±1.3a,b
	T3 (2 days)	53.9±7.9a,b	40.2±6.3a,b	17.9±3.5	1.9±0.9a,b	23.7±3.6a,b	2.5±0.7	11.7±2.7a,b	2.2±0.9	4.2±1.3a,b
	T4 (3 days)	60.9±8.5	44.2±7.5	14.3±2.8	2.3±1.0	25.7±6.0	2.7±0.9	13.5±3.0	2.1±0.9	3.9±1.2

a Compared with that at T0, P<0.05

b compared with the treatment group, P<0.05.

Comparison of the dosages of fentanyl in patients between two groups

The fentanyl dosages during operation and after operation in the treatment group were 0.63±0.11 and 0.52±0.09 mg respectively, and the fentanyl dosages during operation and after operation in the control group were 0.98±0.21 and 0.99±0.19 mg respectively, suggesting that the fentanyl dosage whether during operation or after operation in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05) (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Comparisons of the dosages of fentanyl in patients between two groups. *P<0.05, compared with treatment group.

Discussion

Inflammation, as a physiological disease, often occurs in the body. When inflammation occurs in the body, it will lead to changes in blood vessels, cells and other tissues (11,12). Clinical studies have found that the use of anesthetics in the body can act on inflammatory factors, such as mononuclear macrophages, and also affect inflammatory mediators (13,14). The research on anti-inflammatory effect of all anesthetics is based on a variety of inflammatory factors. The most widely used inflammatory factors are IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8. IL-6 and IL-8 are produced by mononuclear macrophages in the body, while TNF-α is secreted by neutrophils. A variety of inflammatory factors can affect the neutrophil chemotaxis and induce allergic reactions, leading to chemotaxis of T cells, which can promote the immune response in the body to a certain extent (15,16).

NF-κB is a key nuclear transcription factor in the body and plays an important role in the immune and inflammation processes. When the body is stimulated by inflammatory factors, IκB, an inhibitor of NF-κB, will be degraded, leading to over-secretion of NF-κB in the body; the excessive NF-κB will be transferred into the nucleus, leading to gene expression (17).

ICAM-1 is widely used in antigen production and leukocyte infiltration process, and it is widely distributed in lymphocytes. As a kind of multifunctional adhesion molecule, it is also involved in the process of body immunity. T cell subsets have been clinically proven to be important indexes of immune disorders of the body, and Treg is a subset of T cells that can inhibit the immune response in cancer patients. Clinical studies have found that dexmedetomidine acts on the blue plaque in brain, which can reduce norepinephrine secretion, inhibit oxidative stress, and inhibit the occurrence of inflammation (18–20).

In this study the degree of the increase in the inflammatory factors at 0.5 and 24 h after operation in the treatment group was significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Patients in two groups had the same factor levels before operation, indicating that the dexmedetomidine anesthesia can significantly inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors and inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators. Clinical studies have found that when dexmedetomidine takes effect, the patient's central nervous system receptors will be affected, and the norepinephrine will be inhibited, leading to less stress response in patients and decreased secretion of catecholamine in adrenergic receptor and glucocorticoid receptor in patients, which ultimately inhibits the production of inflammatory factors. In this study, it was also found that the sedation in the treatment group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). Dexmedetomidine can act on the nerve center of the body to reduce the release of norepinephrine and increase the threshold of excitement.

In conclusion, the application of dexmedetomidine in patients receiving radical operation of colon carcinoma has a better clinical effect, which can reduce the production of inflammatory factors, decrease the inhibition of T lymphocyte subsets, and lower the impact on NF-κB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, with a higher clinical therapeutic value.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Authors contributions

KW designed the study and prepared the manuscript. CL collected and analysed the data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Jining No. 1 People's Hospital (Jining, China). Signed written informed consents were obtained from all patients or their guardians before the study.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References