Corticosteroids in inflammatory bowel disease. A review.
Corticosteroids have been used for decades in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Despite considerable information on the clinical response to corticosteroids in inflammatory bowel disease, much less is known concerning corticosteroids' effects on the underlying immunopathology of the disease. In this review, we discuss the known immunologic actions of corticosteroids: their effects on eicosanoid production and on modulating the humoral and cellular immune response. After reviewing the postulated immunological aberrations in inflammatory bowel disease, we speculate on the specific immunologic effects of corticosteroids in this disease.
Routes
J
J
Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver 80262.
Claman
H N
HN
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones