Fractalkine is an important chemokine involved in resolving normal inflammatory processes such as wound healing. Soluble fractalkine acts as a chemoattractant bringing cytotoxic and cytokine-producing cells to areas of inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate circulating fractalkine during inflammatory response induced by surgery.
Materials and methods: Fractalkine was analyzed in serum samples from orthopedic surgery patients (n=29) and coronary bypass patients (n=21). The samples were collected prior to surgery and 4 and 30 days after surgery, respectively.
Results: Fractalkine concentrations decreased from pre-operative levels of 1,764 (1,330-2,434) pg/mL to 1,520 (1,330-2,434) pg/mL at 4 days after surgery, and to 1,285 (1,099-1,462) pg/mL 30 days after surgery in patients undergoing orthopedic procedures (p<0.01, 30 days post-operatively versus pre-operatively). Furthermore, fractalkine concentrations decreased significantly from pre-operative levels of 1,856 (1,520-2,434) pg/mL to 1,338 (964-1,650) pg/mL 4 days post-operatively and to 1,266 (1,080-1,338) pg/mL 30 days post-operatively in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery (p<0.01, 30 days post-operative versus pre-operative values).
Conclusion: A significant and persistent decrease in circulating fractalkine was observed after orthopedic and coronary bypass surgery despite a marked inflammatory response.
Keywords: C-reactive protein; fractalkine; inflammation; surgery.