BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines, which are commonly administered perioperatively, can depress immune function. Neutrophil apoptosis plays a central role in the regulation of inflammation. This is particularly important during and after surgery. AIM: To examine the effects of benzodiazepines (midazolam and diazepam) on neutrophil apoptosis. METHODS: Venous blood samples were withdrawn from patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery, (a) immediately prior to, and 10 minutes after administration of midazolam 0.2 mg/kg intravenously (n=11) and (b) immediately prior to, and 60 minutes after administration of diazepam 10 mg p.o. (n=10). Neutrophil apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-FITC after 1 and 12 hours in culture. RESULTS: The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly less after midazolam at 12% (11.9) hours in culture compared to pre-midazolam 29.7% (13.3) (p<0.05). After diazepam, the rates of neutrophil apoptosis were also significantly less after 12 hours in culture (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of benzodiazepines in clinically relevant doses inhibits neutrophil apoptosis. In the perioperative period, this may influence the inflammatory response to surgery.
BACKGROUND:Benzodiazepines, which are commonly administered perioperatively, can depress immune function. Neutrophil apoptosis plays a central role in the regulation of inflammation. This is particularly important during and after surgery. AIM: To examine the effects of benzodiazepines (midazolam and diazepam) on neutrophil apoptosis. METHODS: Venous blood samples were withdrawn from patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery, (a) immediately prior to, and 10 minutes after administration of midazolam 0.2 mg/kg intravenously (n=11) and (b) immediately prior to, and 60 minutes after administration of diazepam 10 mg p.o. (n=10). Neutrophil apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-FITC after 1 and 12 hours in culture. RESULTS: The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly less after midazolam at 12% (11.9) hours in culture compared to pre-midazolam 29.7% (13.3) (p<0.05). After diazepam, the rates of neutrophil apoptosis were also significantly less after 12 hours in culture (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of benzodiazepines in clinically relevant doses inhibits neutrophil apoptosis. In the perioperative period, this may influence the inflammatory response to surgery.
Authors: K W Kinnally; D B Zorov; Y N Antonenko; S H Snyder; M W McEnery; H Tedeschi Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 1993-02-15 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: S J Martin; C P Reutelingsperger; A J McGahon; J A Rader; R C van Schie; D M LaFace; D R Green Journal: J Exp Med Date: 1995-11-01 Impact factor: 14.307
Authors: N Zamzami; P Marchetti; M Castedo; D Decaudin; A Macho; T Hirsch; S A Susin; P X Petit; B Mignotte; G Kroemer Journal: J Exp Med Date: 1995-08-01 Impact factor: 14.307
Authors: Dan Xu; Andrew P Robinson; Toshiyuki Ishii; D'Anne S Duncan; Tord D Alden; Gwendolyn E Goings; Igal Ifergan; Joseph R Podojil; Pablo Penaloza-MacMaster; Jennifer A Kearney; Geoffrey T Swanson; Stephen D Miller; Sookyong Koh Journal: J Exp Med Date: 2018-02-27 Impact factor: 14.307