Changes of expression of endogenous sugar receptors by polymorphonuclear leukocytes after prolonged anaesthesia and surgery.

Anaesthesia and surgery are known to depress granulocyte function in the early postoperative period, leading to deterioration of the immune defence against infection. Carbohydrate-lectin interactions may play an important role in the activities of phagocytic cells in that they facilitate initial host defence in the event of microbial antigenic challenge. A panel of biotinylated (neo)glycoproteins (chemically glycosilated carrier proteins) was used to detect endogenous carbohydrate-binding receptors /lectins/, on peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes of patients undergoing prolonged anaesthesia for replantation surgery. Four hours after induction of anaesthesia, a progressive decline of expression of endogenous sugar receptors on granulocytes was detected using the labelled (neo)glycoproteins lactose-BSA, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-BSA, D-mannose-BSA, sialic-acid-BSA and D-xylose-BSA. Concomitant changes in peripheral white blood cell counts and the lack of depression in the absence of general anaesthetic agents suggested the existence of a possible relationship between reduced expression of (neo)glycoprotein receptors to impaired granulocyte function and anaesthetic-induced immunodepression.