Beta-androstenes and resistance to viral and bacterial infections.

Abstract

This report illustrates that the beta-androstenes are indeed able to upregulate the host immune response to a level that enables the host to resist lethal infection by viruses or bacteria. These agents consist of a subgroup of steroids, which also mediates a rapid recovery of hematopoietic precursor cells after whole-body lethal radiation injury. In vivo, the androstenes increase the levels of the Th1 cytokines such as IL-2, IL-3, and IFN. Similar to hydrocortisone, they suppress inflammation, but without immune suppression, and have a role in the maintenance of the Th1/Th2 balance and immune homeostasis.

• Authors: Roger M Loria
• Journal: Neuroimmunomodulation (Neuroimmunomodulation) Vol. 16 Issue 2 Pg. 88-95 ( 2009) ISSN: 1423-0216 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 19212128 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• 5-androstene-3,7,17-triol
• Androstenols
• IL3 protein, human
• Interleukin-2
• Interleukin-3
• Dehydroepiandrosterone
• Interferons
• Androstenediol

Topics

• Androstenediol (metabolism)
• Androstenols (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Bacterial Infections (immunology)
• Coxsackievirus Infections (drug therapy, immunology)
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (pharmacology, physiology, therapeutic use)
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Enterococcus faecalis (drug effects)
• Enterovirus B, Human (drug effects, physiology)
• Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections (drug therapy, immunology)
• Herpes Simplex (drug therapy, immunology)
• Herpesvirus 2, Human (drug effects, physiology)
• Homeostasis
• Humans
• Immunity, Innate
• Interferons (metabolism)
• Interleukin-2 (metabolism)
• Interleukin-3 (metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Hairless
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Th1 Cells (metabolism)
• Virus Diseases (immunology)
• Virus Replication (drug effects)