Review Article

Effects of Parathyroid Hormone on Immune Function

Table 2

Study of the effects of parathyroidectomy.

Study designAssaysResults

Shasha et al. [50]3 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism pre- and 1 m postparathyroidectomy.
Controls: 3 healthy subjects and a male with lipoma.
Stimulation with: Phytohemagglutinin, ConA.(i) Total T-lymphocytes number were 40% lower that was partially normalized postop.
(ii) CD4/CD8 elevated preop normalized postop.
(iii) Lymphocytes transformation was inhibited preop it was restored postop.
Proliferation assessed with thymidine uptake.

Gaciong et al. [51]Rats with nephrectomy with or without
parathyroidectomy:
(1) Intraperitoneal injection of sheep red blood cells.
(2) Intramuscular bovine serum albumin.
(3) Intramuscular influenza virus vaccine
Dosage of Ig production (IgG and IgM).(i) The production of IgG was markedly impaired in CKD rats without parathyroidectomy.
(ii) The production of IgG was normal in CKD rats with parathyroidectomy.
(iii) The production of IgM was lower than normal in rats with CKD with and without parathyroidectomy.
(iv) The rats with CKD and without parathyroidectomy had lower IgM levels compared to patients with CKD and parathyroidectomy.

Chervu et al. [52]5 groups of rats:
(1) Normal.
(2) With CKD (nephrectomy).
(3) CKD + parathyroidectomy
(4) CKD + verpamil
(5) Normal + verapamil
N/A(i) Lower ATP content in PMN in CKD versus normal.
(ii) Parathyroidectomy and verapamil therapy prevented phagocytosis impairment in CKD.
(iii) Verapamil prevented increase intracellular calcium in PMNs.

Kotzmann et al. [53]12 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism before and 6 m after parathyroidectomy.
Cells were cultured for 48 hours
PTH measured by radioimmunoassay.(i) No change in serum Ig levels after surgery.
(ii) Normal distribution pre- and postop for T,Band NK cells.
(iii) CD4 elevated and CD8 decreased, CD4/CD8 increased pre- and postop.
Blood analyzed by flow cytometry.
Proliferation determined by thymidine incorporation

Tzanno-Martins et al. [44]6 hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism before and 4 m after parathyroidectomy.
Cultured for 5 days.
Stimulation with: Phytohemagglutinin.(i) Lymphoproliferative response increased after parathyroidectomy.
(ii) The ability to produce IgG and IgM was increased after parathyroidectomy.
(iii) Decrease ability to produce IL-2 was not restored postop.
Proliferation determined by thymidine incorporation.