7 beta-OH-DHEA counteracts dexamethasone induced suppression of primary immune response in murine spleenocytes

The effect of dexamethasone and of three potential antiglucocorticoids, nam ely dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylated metabolites, on primary immune response has been studied by measuring the n umber of plaque forming cells (NPFC) and their viability in a cell culture of murine spleenocytes. As expected, dexamethasone suppressed considerably the NPFC as well as their viability. Surprisingly, DHEA as well as its 7 al pha-hydroxylated metabolite decreased significantly the NPFC, while the eff ect of 7 beta-hydroxy-DHEA was different: at low doses it decreased the NPF C, but this effect was less pronounced at higher concentrations. In additio n, 7 beta-hydroxy-DHEA was able to counteract the effect of dexamethasone o n the NPFC. None of the natural steroids affected the cell viability. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.