Sufentanil Postoperative Analgesia reduce the increase of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and FoxP 3 + regulatory T (Treg) cells in Rat Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surgical Model: A randomised animal study

Abstract

Background: Several investigations have indicated that T helper cell 17 (Th 17 ) and Foxp 3 + regulatory T cells (Treg) cells adopt a pro-tumorigenic role. Opioids and pain exacerbate immunosuppression in immunocompromised cancer patients. Methods: A rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models was established by N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA). 48 of them were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16): surgery without postoperative analgesia (Control); surgery with morphine postoperative analgesia (Morphine); surgery with sufentanil postoperative analgesia (Sufentanil). The level of cluster of CD4 + , CD8 + , Th1,Th2, Th17 and Treg cells in blood were also detected to assess immune function using flow cytometry on d0, d3 and d7.The rats’ survival situation of each group left after three days of surgery were observed. Results ： The CD4 + /CD8 + ratio and Th1 cells levels were significantly higher while Th2, Th17 and Treg cells levels were significantly lower in sufentanil and morphine postoperative analgesia rats compared with that without postoperative analgesia. Compared with morphine postoperative analgesia, sufentanil postoperative analgesia rats seem have higher CD4+/CD8+ ratio , Th1 cells, while lower Th2, Th17 and Treg cells level. Conclusions ： Sufentanil and morphine postoperative analgesia show better immune function than that without postoperative analgesia by analyzing CD4 + /CD8 + ratio, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells. Sufentanil postoperative analgesia demonstrated a favorable impact on immune function compared with morphine postoperative anesthesia in hepatocellular carcinoma rats undergoing left hepatectomy operation.