DYNAMIC PROFILING OF TH17 CELLS AS A SURROGATE MARKER OF GUT IMMUNE MODULATION FOLLOWING CHOLECYSTECTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY drkksinghkgmu@gmail.com

 

DYNAMIC PROFILING OF TH17 CELLS AS A SURROGATE MARKER OF GUT IMMUNE MODULATION FOLLOWING CHOLECYSTECTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

5

India

Poster Exhibition only

Cholecystectomy, the definitive treatment for gallstone disease, may have immunological consequences beyond biliary drainage, potentially altering gut immunity via changes in bile acid metabolism and intestinal microbiota. T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, central to mucosal defense and inflammation, may serve as surrogate markers of this modulation. This study prospectively evaluated perioperative variations in circulating Th17 levels after cholecystectomy.

A prospective observational study was conducted at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, including 100 adult patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy. Patients with autoimmune or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded. Serum Th17 levels were measured using ELISA at baseline (preoperative) and on postoperative days 15, 30, 90, and 180. Demographic, hematological, and biochemical parameters were recorded. Serial Th17 values were compared to baseline using paired t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Mean age was 40.2 ± 14.6 years; 68% were female. The mean preoperative Th17 level was 10.77 ± 12.26 pg/mL. Significant, progressive reductions were observed postoperatively: day 15 (–30.7%), day 30 (–58.2%), day 90 (–75.1%), and day 180 (–85.5%) (p < 0.001 for all). Th17 reduction was independent of age and gender. Mild elevations in baseline CRP and ESR were consistent with subclinical inflammation.

Cholecystectomy leads to a sustained and significant decline in circulating Th17 levels, implying long-term modulation of gut immunity. Potential mechanisms include altered bile acid signalling and microbiome changes. These findings suggest implications for post-cholecystectomy immune homeostasis and warrant further mechanistic studies.