Effects of propofol and sevoflurane on tumor killing activity of peripheral blood natural killer cells in patients with gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of propofol and sevoflurane on cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODS

Patients with gastric cancer were anesthetized by propofol or sevoflurane. Peripheral blood NK cells were isolated and co-cultured with BGC-823 gastric cancer cell culture supernatant, and the rate of apoptosis and effector molecules were analyzed by flow cytometry. Effects of propofol and sevoflurane on NK cell function and SMAD4 protein expression were investigated.

RESULTS

Cytotoxicity of NK cells in patients with gastric cancer was inhibited before surgery, but it was enhanced in patients who were anesthetized by propofol compared with those who had sevoflurane. co-culture with BGC-823 cells significantly inhibited the cytotoxicity of NK cells, which was abolished by treatment of propofol or transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. SMAD4 protein expression in the NK cell nucleus was significantly downregulated by TGF-β1 treatment and BGC-823 supernatant co-culture, and this expression could be restored by propofol.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytotoxicity of NK cells in patients with gastric cancer is low, but it can be promoted by propofol. Propofol regulates cytotoxicity in NK cells by promoting SMAD4, thereby affecting cellular function.