Effects of Different Anesthetic Methods on Serum sIL-2Rα, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 in Patients with Oral Squamous Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the levels of perioperative cytokines in oral squamous cancer patients who underwent surgery under different types of general anesthesia. Methods: Sixty patients who received radical resection and immediate reconstruction with free flap defect repair, were randomized to one of three groups: Propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia group (TIVA, n = 20), sevoflurane-based inhalation anesthesia group (SEVO, n = 20) and propofol combined with sevoflurane intravenous-inhalation anesthesia group (VICA, n = 20). We measured the levels of four cytokines (sIL-2Rα (soluble IL-2R alpha), IL-2 (interleukin 2), IL-6 (interleukin 6) and IL-10 (interleukin 10)) at different time points during perioperative period including 30 min before anesthesia (T₀), 3 h after anesthesia (T₁), at the end of operation (T₂), 6 h (T₃), 24 h (T₄) and 48 h (T₅) after the end of operation. Results: The level of circulating sIL-2Rα at T₅ was higher in SEVO group than that in TIVA group (p < 0.01) and VICA group (p < 0.05). The concentration of circulating IL-2 was lower in VICA group (p < 0.05) and SEVO group (p < 0.01) than that in TIVA group at T₃–T₅. The value of IL-6 was higher at T₄ and T₅ in VICA group and SEVO group than that in TIVA group (p < 0.01). The value of IL-10 was higher at T₁–T₄ in SEVO group than that in TIVA group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Total intravenous anesthesia led to higher levels of IL-2 and lower levels of IL-6, IL-10 and sIL-2Rα, which may indicate a positive effect on the maintenance of immune function in oral squamous cancer patients during perioperative period.