Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major cause of immunoincompetence. Whether the virus, itself, accounts for all the deficiency remains in question. Steroids can also influence immune function; glucocorticoids cause immunoincompetence while dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) enhances immune function. Changes in the levels of such hormones during the course of HIV illness might result in significant changes in immune competence. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) or cortisol levels correlate with absolute CD4 lymphocyte levels. Plasma for cortisol and DHEA-S was drawn from 98 adults with HIV. Of these, 67 had simultaneous CD4 levels. Cortisol levels were 12.4 +/- 4.6 micrograms/dl, DHEA-S 262 +/- 142 micrograms/dl, and CD4 levels were 308 +/- 217/mm3 (mean +/- SD). Correlational analysis revealed a significant relationship between DHEA-S and CD4 levels (r = 0.30; p = 0.01) but not between CD4 levels and cortisol (r = 0.11; p = 0.36) or cortisol/DHEA-S ratios (r = 0.17; p = 0.16). When analyzed by clinical subgroups, significant differences were also found with a decrease in DHEA-S levels seen in persons with more advanced illness. The data exhibit a positive relationship between the immune status of patients with HIV-related illness and DHEA, leading to the hypothesis that DHEA deficiency may worsen immune status.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
