Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0024141 (systemic lupus erythematosus)
 44,322 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

12 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (8 in the active stage) with an average age of 26 years (17-54) and 20 healthy control subjects (9 were aged 18-49 years and 11 were oral contraceptives [OC] users aged 17-44) were studied to assess the inhibiting effect of estrogen in vitro on phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Pokeweed (PWM) mitogen induced blast transformation of lymphocytes (lymphoblastic transformation=LBT) gained from periphral blood and simultaneous interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. 8 women were taking Anteovin, 2 Ovidon, and 1 Rigevidon. The average duration of OC use was 5.2 years. 1 SLE patient did not need immunosuppressive treatment, 3 patients received corticosteroid maintenance therapy, and 4 patients were also taking 50 mg of Imuran. In 4 active SLE patients the tests were done before raising the dose of immunosuppressive drugs, and in the case of 2 other patients the administration of 75 mg and 25 mg/die Prednisolone was necessary in addition to 50 mg and 100 mg/die Imuran. LBT decreased significantly in patients and OC users. The LBT values induced by PWM were similar but not significant. The IL-2 production induced by PHA decreased in all 3 groups but not significantly. I1-2 production was 6 E/ml in patients, 5 E/ml in OC users, and 11.5 E/ml in nonusers, but the differences did not prove significant because of wide individual fluctuations. The amount of IL-2 produced by lymphocytes at PWM stimulation was almost the same in all 3 groups with or without estrogen. There was a positive, significant relationship between the extent of LBT and the amount of IL-2 produced in the healthy group of nonusers, it was less solid in the OC users, and in the SLE group trhe low correlation coefficient of .34 suggested the reduction of IL-2 through the inhibition of LBT.
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PMID:[Effect of estrogen on the blast transformation of lymphocytes and interleukin-2 production in lupus erythematosus]. 158 98

The susceptibility of women to autoimmune diseases is well-documented, of which systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is especially important. The use of oral contraceptives often activate SLE from a quiescent condition. The inductive effect of estrogen has been shown in animal studies indicating that female hormones can trigger autoimmune reaction. The effect of ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen (E), and d-norgestrel, a progesterone (P), on the mitogenic response of peripheral lymphocytes, and particularly on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)- and concanavalin-A (Con-A)-induced blastic transformation of lymphocytes (LBT) was studied in vitro. 25 patients with SLE and 27 healthy controls participated in the study. SLE was inactive in 16 patients, 7 took corticosteroids, and 3 also received 50 mg/day Imuran. 13 patients and 10 controls took contraceptives (Bisecurin, Infecundin, Ovidon, Rigevidon). The LBT value fell significantly in patients with active SLE, in contraceptive users, and the value was significantly lower in inactive patients than in those not using contraceptives. E and P separately or together significantly reduced LBT values. Contraceptives containing P only can be prescribed for women suffering from SLE, as its role in inducing the disease compared to E is negligible.
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PMID:[Effect of female sex hormones on blastic transformation of lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus and in healthy women]. 332

Marie considers the exam and history findings and constructs her reply to the patient's statement that he does not want to go to the hospital. "Sir", she says, "I appreciate that you think this is just a stomach bug, but here's what I'm concerned about: Your lupus and the Imuran and prednisone you take to treat it weaken your immune system. And, with your history of diverticular disease, I'm worried that you may have developed diverticulitis, which your weakened immune system might struggle to fight effectively. Worst case scenario, you could be developing an infection that you cannot effectively fight. This infection could get worse, spread to other places in your abdomen or even your blood, and make you very sick. For that reason, I recommend that you go to the hospital for an evaluation." Presented with this information, the patient agrees to transport with the EMS crew to the local ED. He is placed on the cardiac monitor and IV access is initiated. He is monitored during an uncomplicated trip to the receiving ED. Later, the attending physician informs Marie and Don that the patient had diverticulitis with a perforated diverticula, was likely developing peritonitis, and had been admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation.
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PMID:The immune system and immunologic complications. Our immune system is designed to protect us from harmful pathogens: here's what you need to know about how it works. 2187 79