Comparative study on lymphocyte subpopulations in cancer patients after immunostimulation with propionibacteria and in renal transplant patients after combined immunosuppression.
In two groups of patients the influence of unspecific immunostimulation (group 1) and combined immunosuppression (group 2) on lymphocyte subpopulations was studied. Patients constituting group 1 suffered from gastric and colorectal carcinoma, respectively, and were preoperatively treated with 10 mg whole cell preparation of immunostimulating Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 (Köln-Propioni, strain 40). Patients of group 2 were submitted to combined immunosuppressive therapy and treated with antilymphocyte globulin, prednisone, and azathioprine subsequent to renal transplantation. Immunostimulation with P. avidum KP-40 resulted in a significant increase (p less than or equal to 0.01) of the natural killer (NK) cell population, whereas total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts as well as helper and suppressor T lymphocyte subsets did not evidently differ from control values. On the contrary after immunosuppression all subsets of lymphocytes as well as NK cells significantly decreased.
Peters
K M
KM
Chirurgische Universitätsklinik Köln, Cologne, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
Pfeiffer
R
R
Bornhofen
B
B
Ko
H L
HL
Beuth
J
J
Grundmann
R
R
Pulverer
G
G
D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005916:Globulins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011424:Propionibacterium / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D005916:Globulins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone