title: Dehydroepiandrosterone suppresses interleukin 10 synthesis in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (prasterone, DHEA) 200 mg/day on cytokine profiles in adult women with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study conducted as part of a larger multicentre study, 30 adult women with active SLE received oral DHEA 200 mg/day or placebo for 24 weeks. Baseline prednisone (<10 mg/day) and other concomitant SLE medications were to remain constant. The levels of cytokines including interleukin (IL) 1, IL2, interferon gamma, IL4, and IL10 were determined by ELISA. The mean change from baseline to 24 weeks of therapy was analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups (DHEA n = 15; placebo n = 15) were well balanced for baseline characteristics. Only IL1beta and IL10 could be detected in the serum of lupus patients; however, there was no significant mean (SD) difference in serum IL1beta before and after treatment (9.94 (8.92) v 9.20 (6.49) pg/ml). IL10 demonstrated a greater and significant reduction from baseline (9.21 (9.66) to 1.89 (1.47) pg/ml in the DHEA treatment group).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a 24 week study of adult Chinese women with mild to moderate SLE, treatment with DHEA 200 mg once daily resulted in significant reduction of serum levels of IL10. This finding may suggest why DHEA could significantly reduce lupus flares.
authors.affiliation: Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325, Cheng-Kung Road, Sec. 2, Neihu, 114, Taipei, Taiwan, China. ming0503@ms3.hinet.net.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016753:Interleukin-10; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D004958:Estradiol