Surgical stress stimulates release of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase from a segmented neutrophil

: The studies were performed to find out whether increased serum levels of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMNE) depend on increase of segmented neutrophils or increase of PMNE release from a segmented neutrophil on 17 patients for various elective surgeries. Serum levels of PMNE, leukocyte count and leukogram were determined before incision (preoperation), as well as on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day after operation. Serum levels of PMNE, segmented cell count, stab cell count, stab cell-segmented cell ratio increased most on the 1st postoperative day and decreased thereafter. Leukocyte count showed no significant changes. Serum levels of PMNE correlated well with PMNE released from a segmented neutrophil, but not with leukocyte count or segmented cell count. It was concluded that increased serum levels of PMNE by surgical stress depend on the increased PMNE release from a segmented neutrophil but not on the increased segmented cell count.