Abstract
The effects ofin vivo corticosteroid administration on levels of lymphocyte subsets in normal humans require further definition. Using monoclonal antibodies, we carried out a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of oral and intravenous methylprednisolone in 10 normal volunteers. Four hours after a 7-day oral course of 0.5 mg/kg/day, there was modest lymphopenia but no significant selective alteration in lymphocyte subsets. In contrast, 4 hr after a single intravenous injection of 1.0 mg/kg, there was more pronounced lymphopenia (P<0.01), a selective, relative decrease in T4 cells (P<0.001), and a more modest decrease in the percentage of T3 cells. The possible mechanisms and implication of these changes are discussed.
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Zweiman, B., Atkins, P.C., Bedard, PM. et al. Corticosteroid effects on circulating lymphocyte subset levels in normal humans. J Clin Immunol 4, 151–155 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00915049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00915049