Relationship between Serum Cortisol, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS) Levels, and Natural Killer Cell Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT: The adrenal steroid hormones, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), are associated with the immune system in opposite actions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cortisol and DHEAS serum concentrations, their ratio (CDR), and natural killer cell activity (NKA). This cross-sectional study included 2275 subjects without current infection or inflammation in the final analyses. NKA was estimated by measuring the amount of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) released by activated natural killer cells; low NKA was defined as IFN-γ level < 500 pg/mL. Cortisol, DHEAS levels, and CDRs were categorized by quartiles in men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. Compared with the lowest quartile as reference, the adjusted odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals

SUBMITTER: Suh E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10299486 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature