The influence of anaesthetics drugs on immune response: From inflammation to immunosuppression

Abstract

Introduction The immune system protects us from infections through coordinate action of its components. Patients and animals undergoing anaesthesia and surgery show alterations in the immune response. In this paper, we review the effects of some of the most common anaesthetic drugs on the immune system, in particular the effects within 24 hours after their administration , describing their effects on cells and cytokines of the innate and acquired immune system.