FIVE ALPHA DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE (5α-DHT) MAY MODULATE NITRIC OXIDE RELEASE VIA ENDOGENOU S CYTOKINES IN PERITONEAL MA CROPHA GES OF NZB/BALBc MICE

Recent studies have established that sex hormones directly or indirectly affect T and B cells and macrophages by manipulating the production of cytokines. In this study the possibility of the effect of 5a-DHT on macrophage (MΦ) nitric oxide (NO) release via interleukin-l, 6 (lL-1β, IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFα) was investigated. The endogenous cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were neutralized by hamster anti-mouse IL-1β, rat anti-mouse IL-6 or goat anti-mouse TNF-α monoclonal antibody, respectively. Blocking of IL-1β and TNF-α resulted in decrease in NO release. Neutralizing of IL-6 caused an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. With regard to these findings, it can be concluded that 5αDHT may enhance NO production in peritoneal macrophages via modulation of cytokine secretion.