THE EFFECTS OF ANESTHESIA WITH THIOPENTAL ON T-LYMPHOCYTE RESPONSES TO ANTIGEN AND MITOGENS IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO

In this study we show that antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation a nd interleukin (IL)-2 production by peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients under thiopental anesthesia are significantly depressed. In c ontrast, mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion a re not depressed. We have also shown that tetanus toroid (TT) specific CD4+ T cell clones, with a known cytokine production profile, were se nsitive to the inhibitory effects of thiopental and exhibited decrease d proliferation to TT as well as decreased secretion of IL-2. We obser ved no difference regarding IL-4 production by these clones. The data suggest that the immunosuppressive effect of thiopental is confined to antigen-specific responses. In addition, we have shown that whereas I L-2 and interferon-gamma production is dramatically impaired by the dr ug, IL-4 production is not significantly altered. This last finding ha s important implications regarding the type of immune response that is most affected by this anesthetic agent. In spite of the transient dec rease in antigen-driven IL-2 synthesis, no clinical evidence of infect ion was noted in any healthy patient. (C) 1997 International Society f or Immunopharmacology.