Figure 3. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor [Greek small letter alpha] (TNF-[Greek small letter alpha]). Zero indicates administration of the first IL-2 dose. During desflurane alone (diamonds), cytokine concentrations were only measured just before and during the first 5 h of the anesthesia period. The first dose of IL-2 was given at elapsed time zero; desflurane anesthesia lasted from 3 h to 8 h elapsed. Concentrations of IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, IL-8, and TNF all increased significantly over time. The values with IL-2 alone (squares) and the combination of IL-2 and desflurane (triangles) differed significantly from desflurane alone. Some error bars were omitted for clarity; their dimensions are similar to those shown.