Blood transfusion and postoperative serum interleukin-6 levels in colorectal cancer patients
Ishijima, N.; Suzuki, H.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 45(22): 1011-1013
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 9755998 Document Number: 495963
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postoperative cytokine response affects various factors. However, excessive stress responses are deleterious as increased serum concentration of cytokines may induce tissue injury and an impaired immune system. METHODOLOGY: We determined serum IL-6 levels in 35 patients who had undergone resection of colorectal carcinoma. Eleven patients had a blood transfusion before or during the operation (transfused group) but 24 patients had received no blood transfusion (control group). Serum IL-6 levels were determined before the operation, and at the end of operation, POD-1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of preoperative mean levels of IL-6 between these two groups (p=0.20). Postoperative serum IL-6 levels were significantly elevated. Mean serum levels of IL-6 were significantly higher at the end of operation in the transfused group than in the control group (131.7 pg/ml in control group and 269.8 pg/ml in transfused group; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion can induce an excessive cytokine response and may be deleterious.