title: Immunomodulation of cimetidine in healthy volunteers.
abstract: The effect of cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on the immune system in man was investigated in 11 healthy volunteers. Cimetidine was administered orally in daily doses of 800 mg for a period of 7 days. At the end of the administration period the number of peripheral CD8+ (cytotoxic/suppressor) cells had diminished significantly (P less than 0.05) along with a corresponding increase in the CD4+ (helper/inducer): CD8+ (cytotoxic/suppressor) cell ratio (P less than 0.01). Compared with pretreatment values, a significant in vitro blastogenic response to mitogen stimulation with concanavalin A (P less than 0.005), phytohemagglutinin (P less than 0.01), and pokeweed mitogen (P less than 0.05) was observed in lymphocytes of volunteers after cimetidine intake. The cell-mediated hypersensitivity as assessed by skin testing of seven recall antigens was also enhanced significantly (P less than 0.001). Using Spearman's coefficient of correlation to compare mitogen-stimulation tests and skin tests of delayed hypersensitivity to the CD4+:CD8+ ratio, yielded a positive correlation (r = 0.89; r = 0.85, respectively). These effects were reversible 96 h after the last cimetidine dose. In contrast, leukocytes, total T lymphocytes (CD2+, CD3+), CD4+ (helper/inducer) cells, natural killer cells (Leu7+), immunoglobulins, and total complement, C3, C4 were unaffected by cimetidine administration.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Dermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Brockmeyer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kreuzfelder
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bluhm
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scheiermann
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Keinecke
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Ohnhaus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002927:Cimetidine