Expression and Genetic Polymorphisms of CXCR5 Are Associated with Postoperative Incisional Pain in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Background

This study aimed to identify the biomarkers that was associated with the postoperative incisional pain in patients with acute cholecystitis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery (ACC-LC).

Methods

Sixty ACC-LC patients were enrolled and divided into mild pain (MP) and moderate-to-severe pain (MSP) groups based on their visual analog scale (VAS) scores 24 hours postoperatively. RNA sequencing was used to screen the potential pain associated markers, and ELISA were used to analyze the expression of one identified marker, CXCR5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping for CXCR5 rs3922 was performed, and its correlation with pain levels, inflammatory markers, and perioperative clinical features were assessed.

Results

CXCR5 expression was significantly upregulated in the MSP group compared to the MP group. Higher CXCR5 levels correlated with increased VAS scores and were predictive of pain severity. The CXCR5 rs3922 G allele was associated with elevated CXCR5-associated pain levels, together with the increased Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and decreased Transforming Growth Factor-beta (tgf-β) levels. Patients carrying the GG genotype also exhibited higher Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels, indicating greater liver damage, and experienced a longer time to anal exhaust and more postoperative complications.

Conclusion

CXCR5 expression and the rs3922 polymorphism were associated with incisional pain and inflammatory damage in ACC-LC patients. These findings suggest that CXCR5 may serve as a biomarker for pain prediction and personalized pain management strategies.