title: In vitro effect of sex steroids on cytotoxic activity of splenic macrophages in wall lizard (Hemidactylus flaviviridis).
abstract: Sexual dimorphism was observed in nitrite release and IL-1-like molecule production by splenic macrophages of the wall lizard (Hemidactylus flaviviridis), with a higher level in females than in males. Gonadectomy in both males and females resulted in a considerable increase of nitrite and IL-1-like molecule secretion, suggesting that the sex hormones inhibit cytotoxic activity of macrophages. To verify this assumption, dose- and time-related in vitro experiments with male and female sex steroids, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17beta-estradiol (E(2)), respectively, were carried out. E(2) and DHT both significantly reduced the nitrite release and IL-1-like molecule production with an increase of dose or duration of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India.
authors.forename: Soma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mondal
authors.forename: Umesh
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008116:Lizards / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010052:Ovariectomy; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009573:Nitrites; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D004958:Estradiol