# Immunotropic Effects of Steroid Hormone Medicines in Combination with Plasma-Treated Solution in Women of a Reproductive Age and Postmenopausal Women

## TL;DR

This study examines how steroid hormone medicines and plasma-treated solutions affect inflammation in reproductive-age and postmenopausal women.

## Contribution

The study reveals how combining steroid hormones and plasma-treated solutions modulates immune responses differently in two age groups of women.

## Key findings

- PTS reduced IL-6 and RONS production by 50% and increased IL-10 production 2-fold in postmenopausal women.
- PTS and steroid hormones together suppressed cytokine and oxidant activity in both groups.
- Progestins and dexamethasone showed distinct anti-inflammatory effects depending on the age group.

## Abstract

Background: Steroidal glucocorticoid and gestagenic drugs and cold plasma-treated solutions (PTSs) are known to exert anti-inflammatory effects by influencing the production of a number of cytokines. The aim of this work was to test their independent and combined effects exerted on the production of cytokines IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, and IL-10 and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) by leukocytes in women of a reproductive age and postmenopausal women. Methods: ELISA and chemiluminescence methods were used for this purpose. Results: PTS reduced IL-6 and RONS production by 50% and increased IL-10 production 2-fold in postmenopausal women, and it reduced IL-6 production by 80% and RONS production by 50% in women of reproductive age. When PTS and steroid hormonal drugs are used together, there is a general suppression of cytokine and oxidant activity. Conclusions: PTS reduces the production of inflammatory factors by leukocytes and stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory factors, more so in postmenopausal women. Progestins showed greater suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and RONS formation and stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines for women of reproductive age and dexamethasone showed such results for postmenopausal women.