TY - JOUR T1 - MAjor surgery suppresses maximal production of helper t-cell type 1 cytokines without potentiating the release of helper t-cell type 2 cytokines AU - Berguer R, Bravo N, Bowyer M, Egan C, Knolmayer T, Ferrick D Y1 - 1999/05/01 N1 - 10.1001/archsurg.134.5.540 JO - Archives of Surgery SP - 540 EP - 544 VL - 134 IS - 5 N2 - Background  Major surgery is known to suppress T-cell function; however, its differential effects on the production of helper T-cell type 1 (TH1) and type 2 (TH2) cytokines remains unknown.Objective  To measure the production patterns of TH1 (interleukin 2 [IL-2] and interferon γ) and TH2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines following major surgery.Design, Setting, and Patients  A cohort study of patients (both active and former members of the armed forces) at a military hospital.Intervention  Aortic surgery or carotid endarterectomy and measurement of serum IL-6 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Main Outcome Measures  Unstimulated and stimulated intracellular levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon γ in CD4+, CD8+, and γδ+ T cells and serum IL-6 levels immediately before and for 2 days after aortic surgery or carotid endarterectomy.Results  No unstimulated production of TH1 or TH2 cytokines was detected. Stimulated intracellular levels of IL-2 and interferon γ were significantly depressed during the postoperative period in all T-cell subsets in both patient groups. There were no postoperative increases in stimulated IL-4 or IL-10 levels.Conclusion  Major surgery suppresses the potential responses of TH1 cytokines without enhancing production of TH2 cytokines. SN - 0004-0010 M3 - doi: 10.1001/archsurg.134.5.540 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.134.5.540 ER -