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Home / Equine Research Bank / Pediatr Res / Effects of low-dose hydrocortisone therapy on immune functio...
Pediatric research2011; 70(1); 72-77; doi: 10.1203/PDR.0b013e31821b502b

Effects of low-dose hydrocortisone therapy on immune function in neonatal horses.

Abstract: Low-dose hydrocortisone (LDHC) therapy modulates inflammatory responses in adults and improves outcomes in some septic adults and neonates, but its immunologic effects have not been evaluated in neonates. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of LDHC therapy on ex vivo immune function in neonatal horses (foals). We hypothesized that LDHC treatment would dampen proinflammatory responses without impairing neutrophil function. Hydrocortisone (1.3 mg/kg/d i.v.) was administered to foals in a tapering 3.5 d course. Peripheral blood leukocytes were collected from foals before, during, and after hydrocortisone treatment. A separate group of age-matched untreated foals served as controls. Endotoxin-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene expression of inflammatory cytokines was measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Neutrophils were incubated with labeled, killed Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli for assessment of phagocytosis, and with phorbol myristate acetate, zymosan, or endotoxin for measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Neutrophil phagocytosis and ROS production were similar in both groups. Foals receiving hydrocortisone had significantly decreased endotoxin-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β. These data suggest that this LDHC treatment regimen ameliorates endotoxin-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression in neonatal foals without impairing innate immune responses needed to combat bacterial infection.
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Publication Date: 2011-03-25 PubMed ID: 21430601PubMed Central: PMC3111865DOI: 10.1203/PDR.0b013e31821b502bGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study explores the impact of low-dose hydrocortisone (LDHC) therapy on the immune function of newborn horses (foals). The study found that LDHC lessens the production of proinflammatory cytokines, crucial in fighting infections, without hampering the normal function of the foals’ immune system.

Objective and Hypothesis of the Study

  • The main goal of the study was to examine the effects of low-dose hydrocortisone therapy on the immune function of foals.
  • The researchers hypothesized that this treatment would decrease proinflammatory responses, important in controlling infections, without negatively affecting the function of neutrophils, the white blood cells crucial in the body’s response to inflammation and infection.

Methodology

  • Hydrocortisone (1.3 mg/kg/d intravenously) was given to the foals over the course of 3.5 days with gradually decreasing amounts.
  • Investigators collected peripheral blood leukocytes (white blood cells involved in the immune response) from the foals at different intervals – before, during, and after the hydrocortisone treatment.
  • A separate group of foals of the same age but not given the hydrocortisone therapy served as controls for comparison
  • The researchers measured the expression of inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cell using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, a technique used for measuring RNA levels

Investigations

  • Neutrophils from the foals were exposed to labeled, killed Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli bacteria to measure their phagocytosis activity, the process by which cells ingest harmful particles or bacteria.
  • To measure the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), substances that play a role in cell signaling and homeostasis, the neutrophils were exposed to phorbol myristate acetate, zymosan, or endotoxin.

Findings

  • The researchers found no difference in neutrophil phagocytosis and ROS production between the hydrocortisone-treated group and the control group.
  • Foals that received hydrocortisone had significantly reduced expression of endotoxin-induced TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β, key inflammation-inducing cytokines.
  • This implies that low-dose hydrocortisone therapy can reduce the expression of inflammation-causing cytokines in neonatal horses without disrupting their immune response to bacterial infection.

Cite This Article

APA
Hart KA, Barton MH, Vandenplas ML, Hurley DJ. (2011). Effects of low-dose hydrocortisone therapy on immune function in neonatal horses. Pediatr Res, 70(1), 72-77. https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e31821b502b

Publication

Pediatric research
ISSN: 1530-0447
NlmUniqueID: 0100714
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 1
Pages: 72-77

Researcher Affiliations

Hart, Kelsey A
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA. khart4@uga.edu
Barton, Michelle H
    Vandenplas, Michel L
      Hurley, David J

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Animals, Newborn
        • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
        • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / blood
        • Cells, Cultured
        • Cytokines / genetics
        • Cytokines / metabolism
        • Drug Administration Schedule
        • Escherichia coli / metabolism
        • Gene Expression Regulation
        • Horses
        • Hydrocortisone / administration & dosage
        • Hydrocortisone / blood
        • Inflammation / genetics
        • Inflammation / immunology
        • Inflammation / metabolism
        • Inflammation / prevention & control
        • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
        • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
        • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
        • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
        • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
        • Neutrophils / drug effects
        • Neutrophils / immunology
        • Neutrophils / metabolism
        • Phagocytosis / drug effects
        • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
        • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
        • Time Factors

        Grant Funding

        • F32 GM086003 / NIGMS NIH HHS
        • GM086003 / NIGMS NIH HHS

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 7 times.
        1. Berghaus LJ, Venner M, Helbig H, Hildebrandt D, Hart K. The potential value of cytokine, cortisol and vitamin D profiles in foals from birth to weaning for respiratory disease prediction on a farm endemic for Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):359-371.
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        2. Huang H, Zhou T, He F, Wen B, Yang Y, Zhong W, Wang Q, Li J. The gut microbiota improves reproductive dysfunction in obese mice by suppressing the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis. Future Microbiol 2024;19(16):1389-1405.
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