Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits the spontaneous release of superoxide radical by alveolar macrophages in vitro in asbestosis

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Environmental Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80171-9· OSTI ID:6024379

Rom, W N; Harkin, T ^[1]

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1. New York Univ. Medical Center, New York (United States)

Asbestosis is characterized by an alveolar macrophage alveolitis with injury and fibrosis of the lower respiratory tract. Alveolar macrophages recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage spontaneously release exaggerated amounts of oxidants including superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide that may mediate alveolar epithelial cell injury. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a normally occurring adrenal androgen that inhibits glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the initial enzyme in the pentose phosphate shunt necessary for NADPH generation and superoxide anion formation. In this regard, the authors hypothesized that DHEA may reduce asbestos-induced oxidant release. DHEA added in vitro to alveolar macrophages lavaged from 11 nonsmoking asbestos workers significantly reduced superoxide anion release. DHEA is an antioxidant and potential anticarcinogenic agent that may have a therapeutic role in reducing the increased oxidant burden in asbestos-induced alveolitis of the lower respiratory tract.

• OSTI ID: 6024379
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (United States), Vol. 55:2; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANTIOXIDANTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ASBESTOS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IN VITRO
LAVAGE
LUNGS
MACROPHAGES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
SUPEROXIDE RADICALS
ANIMAL CELLS
BODY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
HAZARDS
ORGANS
PHAGOCYTES
RADICALS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SOMATIC CELLS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology