Progesterone, but not 17β-estradiol, increases TNF-α secretion in U937 monocytes

Sex steroids as inflammatory regulators

“…In monocytes stimulated with heat-killed Escherichia coli, progesterone increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1␤ and the neutrophil chemoattractant IL-8 while depressing TNF-␣ secretion [25]. Along with estradiol and testosterone, it also reduced the secretion of IL-6 from LPS-activated cells [24]. Progesterone and estradiol additionally reduced monocyte secretion of IL-1␣ and IL-1␤ [26]; testosterone, prostaglandin E2 [27].…”

“…It stimulates their production of ROS [23] and, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated cells, secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-␣ [24]. In monocytes stimulated with heat-killed Escherichia coli, progesterone increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1␤ and the neutrophil chemoattractant IL-8 while depressing TNF-␣ secretion [25].…”

Relationship between serum progesterone concentrations and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mortality in elderly Swedish men and women: An 8-Year prospective study

“…A 3-year study by Hu et al 25 found that after the first year, increases in serum concentrations of CRP were seen in women using estrogen plus progestin as HRT, but not in women using estrogen only. In other studies of inflammatory markers, Jain et al 26 and Crandall et al 27 found increases in tumor necrosis factor-and metalloproteinase-9, respectively, in women using progesterone but not estrogen supplementation. Thus, to some extent, the results of the present study support the existence of an association between progesterone concentrations and inflammatory and metabolic effects involved in the pathogenesis of CHF.…”

Membrane progesterone receptor expression in mammalian tissues: A review of regulation and physiological implications

“…In murine monocytes and macrophages activated in vitro by lipopolysaccharide, progesterone decreased nitric oxide production and expression of nitric oxide synthase, IL-6 and IL-12 proteins [25–27]. Progesterone induced apoptosis in LPS-activated human monocytes and increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα [28, 29]. Reduced expression of cytokines has also been observed in activated dendritic cells from rats, mice and humans in response to progesterone treatment [30, 31].…”