The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on hemorrhage-induced suppression of cellular immune function.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) improves cellular immune functions after hemorrhagic shock.


METHODS
Prospective controlled study in a research laboratory at an university medical center.


METHODS
Male NMRI mice.


METHODS
Animals received 0.9% saline or DHEA (20 mg/kg subcutaneously) before induction of a volume-controlled hemorrhagic shock (55% of estimated circulating blood volume) by retro-orbital puncture. One hour after hemorrhage mice underwent fluid resuscitation by intravenous infusion of lactated Ringer's solution (300% of the shed blood). Separate groups of mice were killed to obtain whole blood and spleen 1 h after hemorrhage, 1 h after fluid resuscitation, and 24 h after hemorrhage to determine lymphocyte distribution (CD4(+), CD8(+), NK1.1-AG(+)), splenocyte apoptosis, and plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10.


RESULTS
Hemorrhage in control mice was associated with a rapid increase in circulating NK cell numbers. Elevated splenocyte apoptosis, an increased CD4/CD8 ratio, and decreased number of circulating CD8(+) T-cells was observed 24 h after hemorrhagic shock. DHEA administration was accompanied by a normalization of splenocyte apoptosis and lymphocyte migration. Induction of hemorrhagic shock did not affect TNF-alpha or IL-10 plasma concentrations in either treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
DHEA administration improves cellular immune function after hemorrhage and may therefore be beneficial in patients with hemorrhagic shock.
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. reineroberbeck@hotmail.com
Reiner
R
Oberbeck
Eike
E
Nickel
Marthijn
M
von Griensven
Thomas
T
Tschernig
Tobias
T
Wittwer
Daniel
D
Schmitz
Hans-Christoph
HC
Pape
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012771:Shock, Hemorrhagic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone