Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing or reducing ischemia following injury, such as reperfusion injury following ischemia, cellular damage associated with ischemic episodes, such as infarctions or traumatic injuries, and thus to prevent or reduce the consequent progressive necrosis of tissue associated with such ischemia. This effect is achieved by administering DHEA, DHEA derivatives or DHEA congeners to a patient as soon as possible after the injury. The present invention is further directed to methods for preventing or reducing bacterial translocation or adult respiratory distress syndrome in a patient. Similarly, bacterial translocation and adult respiratory distress syndrome are prevented or reduced by administering DHEA, DHEA derivatives or DHEA congeners to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing or reducing ischemia following injury, such as reperfusion injury following ischemia, cellular damage associated with ischemic episodes, such as infarctions or traumatic injuries, and thus to prevent or reduce the consequent progressive necrosis of tissue associated with such ischemia. This effect is achieved by administering DHEA, DHEA derivatives or DHEA congeners to a patient as soon as possible after the injury. The present invention is further directed to methods for preventing or reducing bacterial translocation or adult respiratory distress syndrome in a patient. Similarly, bacterial translocation and adult respiratory distress syndrome are prevented or reduced by administering DHEA, DHEA derivatives or DHEA congeners to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing or reducing ischemia following injury, such as reperfusion injury following ischemia, cellular damage associated with ischemic episodes, such as infarctions or traumatic injuries, and thus to prevent or reduce the consequent progressive necrosis of tissue associated with such ischemia. This effect is achieved by administering DHEA or DHEA derivatives to a patient as soon as possible after the injury. The present invention is further directed to methods for preventing or reducing bacterial translocation or adult respiratory distress syndrome in a patient. Similarly, bacterial translocation and adult respiratory distress syndrome are prevented or reduced by administering DHEA or DHEA derivatives to a patient. Suitable derivatives of DHEA include, among others, 16.alpha.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine which comprises an antigen and an immune response augmenting agent. The immune response augmenting agent is capable of enhancing T cell lymphokine production. Suitable immune response augmenting agents include, but are not limited to, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-derivatives. Examples of DHEA derivatives include DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), 16.alpha.-bromo-DHEA, 7-oxo-DHEA, 16.alpha.-bromo-DHEA-S and 7-oxo-DHEA-S.The invention also relates to a method for enhancing a vaccine-induced humoral immune response which comprises administering a vaccine which comprises an antigen and an immunomodulator. The immunomodulator may be an immune response augmenting agent, a lymphoid organ modifying agent or a mixture of the immune response augmenting agent and lymphoid organ modifying agent. Suitable lymphoid organ modifying agents include, but are not limited to, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3, biologically active Vitamin D.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enhancing the production of T cell lymphokines, which comprises exposing T cell lymphocytes which have a potential to make selected T cell lymphokines to an appropriate concentration of at least one particular steroid hormone prior to cellular activation. Also disclosed are applications of the method for clinically diagnosing abnormal interleukin production, maintaining in vitro tissue cultures of T cells, overcoming certain types of immunosuppression caused by elevated GCS levels, caused by endogenous production or exogenous administration, use as a vaccine adjuvant to selectively direct the vaccine-induced immune response down a protective, rather than a potentially pathologic or non-protective, immunologic pathway, as a treatment for naturally occuring aging-related decreases in immune function, as a treatment for stress or trauma-induced decreases in immune function, and as an agent to facilitate desensitization to agents to which a warm-blooded animal is allergic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing or reducing ischemia following injury, such as reperfusion injury following ischemia, cellular damage associated with ischemic episodes, such as infarctions or traumatic injuries, and thus to prevent or reduce the consequent progressive necrosis of tissue associated with such ischemia. This effect is achieved by administering DHEA or DHEA derivatives to a patient as soon as possible after the injury. The present invention is further directed to methods for preventing or reducing bacterial translocation or adult respiratory distress syndrome in a patient. Similarly, bacterial translocation and adult respiratory distress syndrome are prevented or reduced by administering DHEA or DHEA derivatives to a patient. Suitable derivatives of DHEA include, among others, 16.alpha.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine which comprises an antigen and a lymphoid organ modifying agent. Suitable lymphoid organ modifying agents include 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.sub.3, biologically active Vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives which are capable of activating the intracellular Vitamin D.sub.3 receptor, all trans-retinoic acid, retinoic acid derivatives, retinol, retinol derivatives and glucocorticoid. The vaccine composition may further comprise an immune response augmenting agent which enhances T cell lymphokine production. Suitable immune response augmenting agents include dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-derivatives. Examples of DHEA derivatives include DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), 16-.alpha.-bromo-DHEA, 7-oxo-DHEA, 16-.alpha.-Br-DHEA-S and 7-oxo-DHEA-S.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing or reducing ischemia following injury, such as reperfusion injury following ischemia, cellular damage associated with ischemic episodes, such as infarctions or traumatic injuries, and thus to prevent or reduce the consequent progressive necrosis of tissue associated with such ischemia. This effect is achieved by administering DHEA or DHEA derivatives to a patient as soon as possible after the injury. The present invention is further directed to methods for preventing or reducing bacterial translocation or adult respiratory distress syndrome in a patient. Similarly, bacterial translocation and adult respiratory distress syndrome are prevented or reduced by administering DHEA or DHEA derivatives to a patient. Suitable derivatives of DHEA include, among others, 16.alpha.