Postmenopausal changes in production of type 1 and type 2 cytokines and the effects of hormone replacement therapy

Abstract

Production of IL-10 is augmented in postmenopausal women. HRT probably prevents postmenopausal women from an aberration of the immune system by improving the balance of type 1 and type 2 immune reactions.

Accelerated immune senescence and reduced response to vaccination in ovariectomized female rhesus macaques

“…Additional studies have reported that post-menopausal women (between the age of 52 and 70) taking HT for at least 12 months prior to the study have increased numbers of B cells and better T-cell proliferative responses than post-menopausal women who are not undergoing any HT (Porter et al 2001). Moreover, post-menopausal women (>48 years and time since menopause >1.6 years) have higher plasma levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IFNγ compared to pre-menopausal subjects (Deguchi et al 2001;Vural et al 2006a;Vural et al 2006b), and HT results in a decrease in serum level of TNFα (Vural et al 2006a), IFNγ (Deguchi et al 2001), and IL-6 (Saucedo et al 2002). Similarly, ovariectomy increases IL-6 plasma levels in adult female rhesus macaque, and this change is reversed upon estradiol administration (Keller et al 2001).…”

Improving immunity in the elderly: current and future lessons from nonhuman primate models

“…Studies of postmenopausal women measured higher plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IFNγ compared to premenopausal women (Deguchi et al 2001;Vural et al 2006a, b). Surgical menopause caused by total abdominal hysterectomy results in a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio, an increase in the percentage of NK cells, and a decrease in circulating B cells (Kumru et al 2004).…”

“…Thus, hormone therapy (HT) might reduce the severity of immune senescence in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women receiving HT exhibit decreased plasma levels of the inflammatory factors TNFα (Vural et al 2006a), IFNγ (Deguchi et al 2001), andIL-6 (De Martinis et al 2005;Saucedo et al 2002). HT increases the absolute numbers of CD4 cells, B cells, and NK cells, in addition to increasing T cell proliferative capacity (Giglio et al 1994;Kumru et al 2004;Porter et al 2001).…”

Effects of Bak Foong Pills and Menoease Pills on White Blood Cell Distribution in Old Age Female Rats

“…9,10) Although the links between sex hormones, such as estrogen (E 2 ), and immune status in aging has not been firmly established, there is evidence showing a correlation between reduced hormone levels in post-menopausal women associated with increased risk of pathological and malignant diseases, such as higher blood pressure and cholesterol, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, endometrial cancers and Alzheimer's diseases. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Recent findings from women receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) suggest preservation or improvement of immune function associated with HRT by regulating the release of cytokines and cytokine secreting cells. 16,17) In premenopausal women, there were high numbers of cytokine-releasing cells, whereas in post-menopausal women, there was a reduction in number of cytokines-secreting cells.…”

“…11,16,17) These findings suggest that HRT with E 2 prevents post-menopausal women from an aberration of immune system by regulating cytokine genes and growth hormones and improving the balance of T-lymphocytes immune reactions. 12,18,19) Bak Foong Pills (BFP, also known as Bai Feng Wan), is a traditional Chinese medicine composed of 26 herbal ingredients (see ref. 20 for full list).…”