Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on Th2 cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from asthmatics
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
;
: 176-181, 2008.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-147571
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS:
The androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) attenuates allergic inflammatory airway reactions by down-regulating the Th2 response in mice. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether DHEA suppresses Th2 cytokine production in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from asthmatic patients.METHODS:
Sixty-one consecutive suspected asthmatic or non-asthmatic men underwent tests for asthma. PBMCs from each subject were cultured with and without DHEA (0.01~10 micrometer) for 48 h. The concentrations of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-10 in the culture supernatant were measured via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS:
In PBMCs from subjects exhibiting methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), DHEA significantly suppressed IL-10, IL-5, and IFN-gamma production in a dose-dependent manner (all p<0.001) and tended to increase the IFN-gamma/IL-5 ratio (p=0.087). DHEA (10 micrometer) suppressed cytokine production to a greater degree in subjects with AHR compared with those without AHR (IL-5 24.0+/-7.8% vs. 40.9+/-3.6%, p<0.01; IFN-gamma 29.7+/-7.0% vs. 54.5+/-5.1%, p<0.01). Cytokine suppression was significantly related to AHR, serum total IgE levels, and skin reactivity to house dust mites.CONCLUSIONS:
DHEA suppressed both Th1 and Th2 responses, with a Th1 bias, and the degree of suppression was associated with the severity of AHR or atopy. Therefore, DHEA may be a useful therapy for asthma.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Asthma
/
Adjuvants, Immunologic
/
Cytokines
/
Dehydroepiandrosterone
/
Th2 Cells
/
Cell Culture Techniques
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
Year:
2008
Type:
Article
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