Janet L. Karlix *, Becky Freiburger *, James Hoy**,
Ian R.Tebbett IR***,
Donna Wielbo ***, Frans van Haaren **, Charles Schmidt ****
*Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy,
** Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,***
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, **** Department
of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida
The Gulf War Syndrome is a complex group of signs and symptoms
which has plagued thousands of veterans who served during the Persian
War. The exact etiology is unclear, however clinical presentation is often
similar to the chronic fatigue syndrome which may contain an immunopathophyiological
component . Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate whether
certain chemicals that soldiers were exposed to during the Gulf War possess
any immunomodulatory effects. Human lymphocytes were isolated and exposed
to varying concentrations of permethrin [perm], pyridostigmine [Pb] and
DEET. The human lymphocytes were stimulated via mitogens PMA [phorbol-12-myristate
13-actetate], PHA [phytohemagglutinin], and MLR [mixed lymphocyte response]
and immune response was measured either as immunostimulation or immunosuppression.
All three agents demonstrated a dose dependent response.
Perm and DEET showed the greatest immunomodulatory activity with statistical
differences against controls in the PMA, PHA and MLR as measured by cpm.
Perm IC50s were 4.8 ug/ml PMA, 7.5 PHA and 46 ug/ml MLR. DEET was
not as potent as Perm with IC50s of 100 ug/ml PMA, 95 ug/ml PHA
and 50 ug/ml MLR. In contrast to the other agents, PB did not reach an
IC50 but showed immunostimulation at low concentrations. All three agents
demonstrated immunomodulatory effects that must be considered when addressing
the pathophysiology of the Gulf War Syndrome.
Key words: Pyridostigmine bromide, DEET, Permethrin,
Immune
Acknowledgement: Study supported by a grant funded through
United States Department of Defense [Grant # DAMD17-96-1-6036] |