A Comparative Study in Influence of Isoflurane and Propofol on IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α Serum Levels after Craniotomy for Supratentorial Brain Tumors

Background: The purpose of this randomized, single-center study was to prospectively investigate the impact of anesthetic techniques for craniotomy on the release of cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor factor-alpha (TNF-α)) and to determine whether intravenous anesthesia compared to inhalational anesthesia attenuates the inflammatory response.Methods and Materials: The study enrolled 60 patients undergoing craniotomy, allocated into two equal groups to receive either Isoflurane (n=30) and Propofol (n=30). Non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring was used. Serum levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were evaluated before and at the end of surgery and anesthesia.Results: Although there was a significant rise in serum level of inflammatory cytokine but compared with patients anaesthetized with Isoflurane, patients who received Propofol had significant lower levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-a after surgery (p<0.05).Conclusion: Patients who received Propofol had lower levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α after surgery. Our findings should incite future studies to prove a potential medically important anti-inflammatory role of Propofol in neuroanesthesia.

Keywords:

Craniotomy , Propofol , Isoflurane , Interleukin 1 , Interleukin 6 , TNF-α