RESUMO
In this report, we have evaluated the immunological effects following administration of alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) in combination with thymostimulin (TP-1), as well as of IFN-alpha and TP-1 alone in patients with neoplasias who underwent surgery and were subsequently treated with conventional chemotherapy. Data suggest that the combination of IFN-alpha and TP-1 is the most effective in the up-regulation of some immune parameters such as the CD4(+)-CD8+ cell-dependent antibacterial activity. Since this immune function plays an important role in the host protection against different targets such as invading microorganisms and/or neoplastic cells, the administration of TP-1-IFN-alpha is advisable for patients with neoplasias under chemotherapy.
Assuntos
Adjuvantes Imunológicos/farmacologia , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/farmacologia , Interferon-alfa/farmacologia , Extratos do Timo/farmacologia , Adulto , Neoplasias da Mama/imunologia , Neoplasias da Mama/terapia , Carcinoma/imunologia , Carcinoma/terapia , Neoplasias Colorretais/imunologia , Neoplasias Colorretais/terapia , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoterapia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Over the past few years, the immunomodulating role of benzodiazepines (BDZ) has been reported in literature. In particular, diazepam is an inhibitory BDZ with regard to its effects on the phagocytic and metabolic activities of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes, while triazolobenzodiazepines (alprazolam and triazolam) upregulate normal human peripheral blood T lymphocyte function. On these grounds, the administration of alprazolam (1 mg/per day for 1 month) in 13 patients with migraine without aura (MWA) and of lorazepam (2 mg/per day for 1 month) in 10 matched MWA subjects has been evaluated in terms of immune response. Results show that before administration of BDZ in both groups of patients phagocytosis and killing of PMN and monocytes were profoundly depressed and the same was true for the lymphocyte-dependent antibacterial activity. After one month treatment lorazepam further decreased lymphocyte function without modifying phagocytic capabilities. On the contrary, alprazolam increased PMN phagocytosis and killing and monocyte phagocytosis without modifying antibacterial activity values. Taken together, these results further support the existence of different classes of BDZ in terms of their immunomodulating capacities. Moreover, alprazolam seems to be a more appropriate BDZ for treating immunocompromised patients, even including MWA patients.
Assuntos
Alprazolam/farmacologia , Sistema Imunitário/efeitos dos fármacos , Lorazepam/farmacologia , Transtornos de Enxaqueca/tratamento farmacológico , Adolescente , Adulto , Citotoxicidade Imunológica/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Humanos , Linfócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Transtornos de Enxaqueca/imunologia , Monócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Monócitos/imunologia , Neutrófilos/efeitos dos fármacos , Neutrófilos/imunologia , Fagocitose/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Previous studies have demonstrated that benzodiazepines (BDZ) (e.g. diazepam) inhibit immune responsiveness. Since these drugs are largely used in psychiatric patients it is of great importance to verify the existence of different types of BDZ, which are not suppressive for the immune system. In this framework, our results indicate that alprazolam and triazolam, two triazolo-BDZ, do not modify in vitro phagocytosis and killing exerted by normal human polimorphonuclear cells and monocytes. On the contrary, they significantly enhance T lymphocyte-dependent antibacterial activity in normal donors. These data support the concept that triazolo-BDZ and, in particular, alprazolam may represent more appropriate drugs for the treatment of psychiatric patients (e.g. patients with phobic disorders and/or migraine) who display immunodeficits.
Assuntos
Alprazolam/farmacologia , Linfócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Triazolam/farmacologia , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/farmacologia , Adulto , Atividade Bactericida do Sangue/efeitos dos fármacos , Citotoxicidade Imunológica/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Humanos , Técnicas In Vitro , Linfócitos/imunologia , Masculino , Fagocitose/efeitos dos fármacos , Salmonella typhi/imunologia , Linfócitos T/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T/imunologiaRESUMO
Previous findings have shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated human monocytes express cytokines (CKs) on their membrane. Furthermore, those associated to membrane products such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 have been demonstrated to exert many biological activities. In this paper, evidence is provided that human polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) exhibited an increased phagocytic capacity following incubation with either lipid A (LA)-activated autologous monocytes or supernatants recovered from LA-stimulated mononuclear cell cultures. In order to investigate the possible role of monocyte membrane-associated TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta in the modulation of PMN activity, in a separate series of experiments LA-activated monocytes or LA-activated supernatants were pretreated with anti-recombinant human (Rhu) TNF alpha, anti-Rhu IL-1 alpha and anti-Rhu IL-1 beta monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), respectively. Such an approach gave rise to an abrogation of monocyte-mediated triggering effect on PMN functional capacity. Taken together, these data suggest that activated monocytes can upregulate PMN phagocytosis by a cell-to-cell contact mechanism, likely related to membrane-associated CKs.
Assuntos
Citocinas/imunologia , Monócitos/imunologia , Fagocitose/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Comunicação Celular/imunologia , Membrana Celular/imunologia , Citocinas/antagonistas & inibidores , Humanos , Técnicas In Vitro , Lipídeo A/imunologia , Neutrófilos/imunologia , Regulação para CimaRESUMO
Cytokines (CKs) are involved in the mechanisms of sleep induction, and, in particular, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha seem to play an important role in the slow-wave sleep. Here are reported two cases of normal sleep and altered sleep in which plasma levels of IL-1 beta have been determined. In the subject with a normal sleep a dramatic increase of this CK has been observed, while beta-endorphin levels were reduced. In the light of these findings, the role of sleep in the host protection is discussed.
Assuntos
Ritmo Circadiano/fisiologia , Citocinas/fisiologia , Interleucina-1/fisiologia , Fases do Sono/fisiologia , Nível de Alerta/fisiologia , HumanosRESUMO
Benzodiazepines (BDZ) are psychotropic drugs largely used in patients with affective disorders. As far as their effects on the immune system are concerned, a few studies have been carried out until now. Diazepam is inhibitory in vitro for the phagocytic functions and the antibody synthesis, being its action mediated via specific receptors on immunocompetent cells. On the contrary, alprazolam results to be enhancing for the antibacterial activity exerted by normal human peripheral blood T lymphocytes in vitro. Taken together, these data point out the different role which BDZ play on the immune response.
Assuntos
Benzodiazepinas/farmacologia , Sistema Imunitário/efeitos dos fármacos , Psicotrópicos/farmacologia , Alprazolam/farmacologia , Formação de Anticorpos/efeitos dos fármacos , Diazepam/farmacologia , Humanos , Imunidade Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuroimunomodulação/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuropeptídeos/metabolismo , Fagocitose/efeitos dos fármacos , Transtornos Fóbicos/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
The effects of two benzodiazepines, diazepam and alprazolam, have been evaluated on the in vitro antibacterial activity exerted by human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Results demonstrate that diazepam has no influence on this PBL function, while alprazolam is able to enhance this activity in six out of nine normal donors considered. The possible therapeutical implications of these data are discussed.