ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have diminished receptor density; thus, patients with RA should show partial resistance to glucocorticoids. We investigated the glucocorticoid sensitivity of lymphocytes in RA patients compared with healthy subjects. METHODS: We determined the effects of glucocorticoids on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine release. RESULTS: Proliferation and cytokine release were inhibited in RA patients to the same extent as in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Diminished receptor density in RA patients does not result in glucocorticoid resistance.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Glucocorticoids/pharmacology , Lymphocytes/chemistry , Lymphocytes/ultrastructure , Receptors, Glucocorticoid/analysis , Adult , Aged , Cell Division , Drug Resistance , Female , Fluocortolone/metabolism , Humans , Hydrocortisone/metabolism , Interleukin-1/metabolism , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Mitogens/pharmacologyABSTRACT
The secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate is known to decline gradually with advancing age. Furthermore DHEA is known to be significantly lower in osteoporotic subjects than in normals. Recently 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OHA) has been proposed as an important indicator of the adrenal source of hormone excess in different hyperandrogenic states. In the present study we measured 11-OHA in 224 normal women aged 20-79 yr and 130 osteoporotic women aged 40-79 yr. RIA of 11-OHA was performed with highly specific antiserum raised in rabbits. The mean 11-OHA serum concentration was 2.20 +/- 0.90 ng/ml in normal women and 1.75 +/- 0.58 ng/ml in osteoporotic women. In contrast to DHEA there was no age-related decrease in 11-OHA serum concentrations in normal and osteoporotic women. Osteoporotic subjects showed statistically significantly lower 11-OHA serum concentrations than normal women. Therefore low serum 11-OHA might represent a further risk factor for osteoporosis.
Subject(s)
Aging , Androstenedione/analogs & derivatives , Osteoporosis/blood , Adrenal Cortex/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Androstenedione/blood , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Data from a study of five stations on the Spoon River, Ill., during June 1971 through May 1973 were analyzed for compliance with Illinois Pollution Control Board's water quality standards of a geometric mean limitation of 200 fecal coliforms per 100 ml. This bacterial limit was achieved about 20% of the time during June 1971 through May 1972, and was never achieved during June 1972 through May 1973. Ratios of fecal coliform to total coliform are presented. By using fecal coliform-to-fecal streptococcus ratios to sort out fecal pollution origins, it was evident that a concern must be expressed not only for municipal wastewater effluents to the receiving stream, but also for nonpoint sources of pollution in assessing the bacterial quality of a stream.
