Inhibition of peripheral blood T cell proliferation by dexamethasone in steroid-resistance asthma
Yao, B.; Li, M.; Zhu, Y.
Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 36(8): 519-521
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0578-1426 PMID: 10436955 Document Number: 478523
We investigated the pathogenesis of steroid-resistance (SR). The inhibition of phyto-hemagglutininum-induced T lymphocyte proliferation by dexamethasone (Dex) was investigated by lymphocyte proliferation assay. Plasma cortisol concentration was measured by radioimmune lectrophoresis autoradiography kit. The inhibition effects of Dex (10(-7) mol/L) on the proliferation of lymphocytes from SR asthmatics were significantly less than those from steroid-sensitive (SS) asthmatics (P < 0.05). Plasma cortisol concentrations of SR asthmatics were significantly lower than those of normal subjects (P < 0.01) and SS asthmatics (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between the degree of inhibition by Dex (10(-7) mol/L of SR, SS asthmatics of proliferation of T lymphocytes and plasma cortisol concentration. T lymphocytes from SR asthmatics were insensitive to Dex. Plasma cortisol concentration from SR asthmatics were significantly lower than those of SS asthmatics, that may be due to the large dose of glucocorticoids given in long time.