Observation of Complement Protein Gene Expression Before and After Surgery in Opioid-Consuming and Opioid-Naive Patients

Opioids may influence inflammation. We compared genes associated with pain and inflammation in patients who consumed opioids (3–120 mg of oral morphine equivalents per day) with those who did not for differential expression. White blood cells were assayed in 20 patients presenting for total lower extremity joint replacement. We focused on messenger ribonucleic acid expression of complement proteins. We report that the expression of a complement inhibitor, complement 4 binding protein A, was reduced, and the expression of a complement activator, complement factor D, was increased in opioid-consuming patients. We conclude that opioid consumption may influence expression of complement activators and inhibitors. Accepted for publication July 12, 2018. Funding: Supported in part by the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Utah. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's website (https://ift.tt/KegmMq). Clinical trial number and registry URL: This study is not subject to ClinicalTrials.gov review because the study is not a clinical trial and does not involve an intervention or investigational use of a device or drug. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Ken B. Johnson, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E RM 3C444, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. Address e-mail to ken.b.johnson@hsc.utah.edu. © 2018 International Anesthesia Research Society

https://ift.tt/2NE2l1p