Biomaterial Database

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone in immunosuppressed adult mice infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. 1995

K R Rasmussen, and M C Healey, and L Cheng, and S Yang

Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan 84322-5600, USA.

Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease in humans and other animals caused by the coccidian parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum. This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in reducing C. parvum infections in immunosuppressed adult C57BL/6N mice and to identify the immunomodulatory effects of DHEA that result in increased resistance to cryptosporidiosis. Dexamethasone-immunosuppressed mice were readily infected with C. parvum following orogastric intubation with 10(6) oocysts/mouse. DHEA treatment of these mice significantly reduced (P < 0.01) both fecal oocyst shedding and parasite colonization of the ilea. Immunosuppressed mice treated with DHEA had more splenic total T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells than immunosuppressed mice that were not treated, but the differences were not always significant. Moreover, nonimmunosuppressed mice treated with DHEA had significantly more (P < 0.05) splenic total T cells, CD4+ T cells, and total B cells than nonimmunosuppressed mice that did not receive DHEA. Of particular interest was the significantly larger (P < 0.05) number of CD8+ T cells in immunosuppressed, C. parvum-infected, DHEA-treated mice compared with the same mice that were not treated. Up-regulation of the immune system by exogenous DHEA may be useful in the treatment and palliation of cryptosporidiosis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007082	Ileum	The distal and narrowest portion of the SMALL INTESTINE, between the JEJUNUM and the ILEOCECAL VALVE of the LARGE INTESTINE.
D007165	Immunosuppression Therapy	Deliberate prevention or diminution of the host's immune response. It may be nonspecific as in the administration of immunosuppressive agents (drugs or radiation) or by lymphocyte depletion or may be specific as in desensitization or the simultaneous administration of antigen and immunosuppressive drugs.	Antirejection Therapy,Immunosuppression,Immunosuppressive Therapy,Anti-Rejection Therapy,Therapy, Anti-Rejection,Therapy, Antirejection,Anti Rejection Therapy,Anti-Rejection Therapies,Antirejection Therapies,Immunosuppression Therapies,Immunosuppressions,Immunosuppressive Therapies,Therapies, Immunosuppression,Therapies, Immunosuppressive,Therapy, Immunosuppression,Therapy, Immunosuppressive
D008810	Mice, Inbred C57BL	One of the first INBRED MOUSE STRAINS to be sequenced. This strain is commonly used as genetic background for transgenic mouse models. Refractory to many tumors, this strain is also preferred model for studying role of genetic variations in development of diseases.	Mice, C57BL,Mouse, C57BL,Mouse, Inbred C57BL,C57BL Mice,C57BL Mice, Inbred,C57BL Mouse,C57BL Mouse, Inbred,Inbred C57BL Mice,Inbred C57BL Mouse
D009929	Organ Size	The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness.	Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D010270	Parasite Egg Count	Determination of parasite eggs in feces.	Count, Parasite Egg,Counts, Parasite Egg,Egg Count, Parasite,Egg Counts, Parasite,Parasite Egg Counts
D001835	Body Weight	The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms.	Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D003457	Cryptosporidiosis	Intestinal infection with organisms of the genus CRYPTOSPORIDIUM. It occurs in both animals and humans. Symptoms include severe DIARRHEA.	Cryptosporidium Infection,Cryptosporidioses,Cryptosporidium Infections,Infection, Cryptosporidium
D003687	Dehydroepiandrosterone	A major C19 steroid produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX. It is also produced in small quantities in the TESTIS and the OVARY. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be converted to TESTOSTERONE; ANDROSTENEDIONE; ESTRADIOL; and ESTRONE. Most of DHEA is sulfated (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE) before secretion.	Dehydroisoandrosterone,Prasterone,5-Androsten-3-beta-hydroxy-17-one,5-Androsten-3-ol-17-one,Androstenolone,DHEA,Prasterone, 3 alpha-Isomer,5 Androsten 3 beta hydroxy 17 one,5 Androsten 3 ol 17 one,Prasterone, 3 alpha Isomer
D003907	Dexamethasone	An anti-inflammatory 9-fluoro-glucocorticoid.	Hexadecadrol,Decaject,Decaject-L.A.,Decameth,Decaspray,Dexasone,Dexpak,Hexadrol,Maxidex,Methylfluorprednisolone,Millicorten,Oradexon,Decaject L.A.
D005243	Feces	Excrement from the INTESTINES, containing unabsorbed solids, waste products, secretions, and BACTERIA of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.