SUFENTANIL INHIBITS MIGRATION OF HUMAN-LEUKOCYTES THROUGH HUMAN ENDOTHELIAL-CELL MONOLAYERS

The interactions between blood and vascular wall cells are essential f or understanding pathophysiological processes, e.g., during inflammati on. The influence of anesthetics on leukocyte function is well documen ted. An inhibitory effect of thiopental, midazolam, and ketamine on le ukocyte chemotaxis in a Boyden chamber chemotaxis assay (i.e., endothe lial cells were not included) has been demonstrated. Little is known, however, about the influence of sufentanil on the inflammatory process es. To reach their targets in the tissue in vivo, leukocytes must inte ract with endothelial cell monolayers (ECMs). The aim of the current s tudy was to investigate the influence of sufentanil on the migration o f leukocytes through an ECM. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells we re cultured to achieve a monolayer. Isolated polymorphonuclear leukocy tes and ECM were preincubated with different concentrations of sufenta nil. The rate of leukocyte migration against the chemotactic protein f ormyl-methyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was measured (n = 7). Sufentanil sig nificantly reduced the amount of leukocyte migration through ECM to 77 % +/- 7.8% (P < 0.05 compared with control). Endothelial cells as well as leukocytes contributed to this effect: treatment of both cell type s showed an additive effect. Although lower concentrations showed no e ffect, high concentrations reduced leukocyte migration through ECM to 61% +/- 7.1%. Implications: Leukocytes play an important role during i nflammation, and anesthetics influence leukocyte functions, e.g., resp iratory burst or chemotaxis. The effect of sufentanil on transendothel ial leukocyte migration has not been investigated. Therefore, we used a migration assay including endothelial cell monolayers. Sufentanil sh owed a reducing effect on transendothelial leukocyte migration.