title: Dehydroepiandrosterone attenuates the spontaneous elevation of serum IgE level in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate derivatives are known to affect host immune function; however if such hormones influence the development of atopic dermatitis has not yet been clarified. In this study, we examined the effects of DHEA on the allergic process using NC/Nga mouse, a model animal of human atopic dermatitis. The administration of DHEA profoundly suppressed the spontaneous elevation of both serum IgE and interleukin-6 levels in NC/Nga mice during the observation period. These results indicate that DHEA promotes a shift in Thl/Th2 balance toward Th1-dominant immunity, and thus may be one of the effective alternatives in treating atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, 812-8582, Fukuoka, Japan. nobuyuki@cephal.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sudo
authors.forename: X N
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kubo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone