The Impact of Different Anesthetics on the Distribution and Cytotoxic Function of NK Cell Subpopulations: An In Vitro Study

Only some subpopulations of natural killer (NK) cells have cytotoxic functionality, and the effects of anesthetics on these subpopulations are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of various anesthetics, both alone and in combination, on the distribution and cytotoxic function of NK cells and their subpopulations. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from eight healthy volunteers were treated for 4 h in vitro with dexmedetomidine, remifentanil, lidocaine, propofol, sevoflurane, and combinations in clinically relevant concentrations or left untreated. Flow cytometry was used to quantify the percentage of sampled NK cells and evaluate their distribution (CD56