title: The effects of single-dose alternate-day prednisone therapy on the immunological status of patients with neuromuscular diseases.
abstract: Several immunological variables were examined in patients receiving high-single-dose, alternate-day prednisone therapy for neuromuscular diseases. Dose-dependent leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and monocytopenia occurred which were maximal 6 hours after prednisone administration but returned to control levels by the 24-hour point. The lymphopenia involved T-cells, B-cells, and null cells, with the T-cells most affected. Plasma cortisol levels and lymphocyte transformation in response to mitogens were also transiently and reversibly suppressed. There was a persistent decrease in serum IgG. Lymphocyte transformation was also suppressed when normal lymphocytes were incubated with treated patient sera or when treated patient lymphocytes were incubated in autologous pretreatment sera. The suppression factor was not removed from the lymphocytes by extensive washing. Patients whose disease responded to the high-single-dose, alternate-day prednisone regiment were indistinguishable from nonresponders by the immunological responses measured.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008934:Mitogens; D011241:Prednisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone