The effects of thiopentone and propofol on delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

The effects of thiopentone and propofol on delayed hypersensitivity reactions and T lymphocyte proliferation were studied in nine healthy volunteers (five women and four men). Thiopentone 5 mg.kg-1 and propofol 2.5 mg kg-1 were given as a 10 min infusion on two separate occasions. The volunteers were exposed to a skin multitest antigen before and after administration of the two agents and their skin reactions assessed. T lymphocyte responses were studied using phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced proliferation. Results showed that both drugs caused a significant depression of skin reactions in vivo but no depression in the T lymphocyte proliferation.