title: In vivo modulation of the circulating lymphocyte subsets and monocytes by androgen.
abstract: Androgens influence some immunological processes, including alternation of the number and function of the circulating lymphocytes and monocytes. In the present study, the effects of three different doses of testosterone on the numbers and percentages of the peripheral blood cells were investigated; the lymphocyte subsets were determined and the proliferation of lymphocyte was detected. Groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 0.5, 2.5, 12.5 mg/kg or only vehicle, respectively. Compared with controls, the results of complete blood counts showed that the absolute and relative numbers of monocytes decreased. The lymphocyte subpopulations determined by flow cytometry indicated an increase in CD8+ T cells, whereas the CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+CD8+ T cells remained unchanged. Thus, the immunoregulatory index (CD4+/CD8+ ratio) decreased. The proliferative activities determined by MTT assay were down-regulated. In conclusion, the immunosuppressive effects of testosterone may be attributed to a decline in number of monocytes, CD4+/CD8+ ratio and proliferative activities together with an increase of CD8+ T cells in Sprague-Dawley rats.
authors.affiliation: Immunology and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China.
authors.forename: Genhong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Yayi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000145:classification; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D013739:Testosterone