Preservation of splenic immune functions by female sex hormones after trauma-hemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
Immune functions are markedly depressed in males but not in proestrus females after trauma-hemorrhage. Nonetheless, it is unclear what role sex steroids play in the maintenance of immune function in females after trauma-hemorrhage.


METHODS
Prospective, controlled animal study.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Eight-week-old female CBA/J mice.


METHODS
Mice underwent sham-ovariectomy or ovariectomy. Two weeks thereafter, ovariectomized and proestrus sham-ovariectomized mice were subjected to laparotomy (i.e., soft tissue trauma) and hemorrhagic shock (35 +/- 5 mm Hg for 90 mins, resuscitated) or sham operation. Splenocyte proliferation and interleukin-2, interleukin-3, and interferon-gamma release were determined at 2 hrs after trauma-hemorrhage.


RESULTS
These immune functional capacities were maintained in proestrus sham-ovariectomized mice after trauma-hemorrhage, whereas they were suppressed in ovariectomized mice subjected to trauma-hemorrhage. 17beta-Estradiol in vitro had no effect on splenocyte functions in proestrus sham-ovariectomized females; however, addition of 17beta-estradiol to splenocytes from ovariectomized females subjected to trauma-hemorrhage normalized immune functional capacities.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that elevated circulating 17beta-estradiol in proestrus females plays a direct role in the maintenance of immunocompetence after trauma-hemorrhage.
Knöferl
Markus W
MW
Center for Surgical Research and Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Angele
Martin K
MK
Schwacha
Martin G
MG
Bland
Kirby I
KI
Chaudry
Irshad H
IH
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011359:Proestrus; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012771:Shock, Hemorrhagic / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000276:immunology*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D007377:Interleukin-3; D004958:Estradiol; D007371:Interferon-gamma