| Effects of neonatal dexamethasone treatment on hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis and immune system of the rat. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 9119981 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Synthetic glucocorticoids (GC) are widely used drugs, also in the prevention of diseases that occur in the preterm newborn. Previously we have found that GC treatment of pregnant rats resulted in a persistent increase in the ratio of AVP over CRH in the mediobasal hypothalamus, and in an increased CD4/CD8 ratio in the thymus of the newborn. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether such effects were also seen after neonatal GC exposure, given in clinically-relevant doses. Dexamethasone-21-phosphate (DEX; 1.2 microg/g BW, i.p.) was given at day 5 and day 7 after birth. At day 18, 33, and 48 after birth effects of GC on the HPA-axis, and on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in thymus and spleen were examined. Neonatal DEX treatment temporarily increased (p < 0.01) AVP stores in the external zone of the median eminence (ZEME) on day 18 after birth, and did not affect CRH stores. Resting plasma levels of ACTH and corticosterone remained unchanged after neonatal DEX treatment at any time interval studied. In the thymus and spleen, neonatal DEX treatment decreased (p < 0.0001) T cell numbers on day 18 after birth. Furthermore, neonatal DEX treatment increased (p < 0.01) the ratio of mature CD4-CD8+ over CD4-CD8+ thymocytes on day 18 after birth, but not on day 33 and day 48 after birth. In conclusion, neonatal DEX treatment has temporary effects on peptide expression in hypothalamic CRH neurons, and on thymocyte maturation. Apparently, neonatal exposure to GC affects potentially sensitive targets within the endocrine system and immune system but these alterations are reversible and readjusted during development. |
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Authors:
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J M Bakker; E D Schmidt; H Kroes; A Kavelaars; C J Heijnen; F J Tilders; E P van Rees |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of neuroimmunology Volume: 74 ISSN: 0165-5728 ISO Abbreviation: J. Neuroimmunol. Publication Date: 1997 Apr |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1997-04-24 Completed Date: 1997-04-24 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8109498 Medline TA: J Neuroimmunol Country: NETHERLANDS |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 69-76 Citation Subset: IM; X |
Affiliation:
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Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.bakker.cell@med.vu.nl |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Animals, Newborn / physiology* Arginine Vasopressin / metabolism CD4-CD8 Ratio / drug effects Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism Dexamethasone / pharmacology* Female Glucocorticoids / pharmacology* Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects* Immune System / drug effects* Male Median Eminence / metabolism Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects* Rats Rats, Wistar Spleen / drug effects, pathology T-Lymphocytes / drug effects Thymus Gland / drug effects |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Glucocorticoids; 113-79-1/Arginine Vasopressin; 50-02-2/Dexamethasone; 9015-71-8/Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone |
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