TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1992//
TI  - Ethanol inhibits interferon-gamma secretion by human peripheral lymphocytes
JO  - Journal of studies on alcohol
A1  - Wagner, F.
A1  - Fink, R.
A1  - Hart, R.
A1  - Lersch, C.
A1  - Dancygier, H.
A1  - Classen, M.
SP  - 277
EP  - 280
VL  - 53
IS  - 3
N2  - Clinical and epidemiological evidence exists that subjects who chronically abuse alcohol are disposed to infections and certain types of cancer. In vitro inhibition of mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation has been shown suggesting a direct immunosuppressive effect of ethanol. Using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells we could demonstrate in vitro for the first time that even low ethanol concentrations of 6 and 12.5 mM significantly inhibit spontaneous and mitogen-induced secretion of interferon-gamma. This effect was more pronounced with lower mitogen stimulation and it increased in a dose dependent manner when higher ethanol concentrations were used. Inhibition of cell proliferation as measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation did not parallel the inhibition of interferon-gamma secretion. As this lymphokine exerts a great number of immunostimulating effects, diminished secretion might well contribute to the immune defect observed in alcoholics.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0096-882X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -