Suppression of chemotaxis to corneal inflammation by nitrous oxide.

Immune competency is depressed in the perioperative period. The role of anesthetic agents in immune reactivity remains unclear. The chemotactic migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to the cornea of rabbits injured by clove oil was studied. PMNs were previously radiolabeled with tritiated (3H) thymidine. Immediately following injury, the rabbits entered isolation chambers and breathed either air or air containing 10%, 20% or 40% nitrous oxide (N2O) for 24 hours. After sacrifice, the radioactivity of a 10 mm corneal button, removed by trephination, was determined by scintillation counting technique. Peripheral blood was obtained for hemoglobin, white cell and platelet count. The N2O dosage affected on the migration of PMNs to the cornea. 3H was decreased 15.4% by 20% N2O and 38.8% for 40% N2O-exposed rabbits. Peripheral blood values did not differ. N2O can suppress chemotaxis of PMNs in the rabbit, thereby adversely affecting the inflammatory component of immune defense.