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The effect ofin vitro andin vivo dexamethasone on human neutrophil function

Agents and Actions volume 33, pages 279–285 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

There is a significant fall in PMN chemotaxis to the peptide FMLP in response to increasing concentrations of dexamethasonein vitro. The response fell in a dose related manner from a control value of 53.7 SE±9.6 cells per high power field (cpf) to 47.3 SE±8.1 at 10−6 M (p<0.05) and 24.7±8.9 at 10−3 M (p<0.025). A similar response was observed for the chemoattractants zymosan activated serum and the sol phase of purulent sputum. The effect was independent of protein synthesis or the period of incubation. Twelve milligrams of dexamethasone taken daily by 6 healthy volunteers resulted in a significant (p<0.025) reduction in the chemotactic response of PMN to 10−8 M FMLP (from 29.5±1.55 to 13.7±1.8 cpf) which was apparent within 2 hours of taking the first dose. This effect was sustained for the three days on which dexamethasone was taken but returned to normal 7 days after the last dose had been administered.

Dexamethasone therapy had no effect on unstimulated PMN superoxide anion production eitherin vitro orin vivo.

Thein vivo effect on neutrophil function occurred at mean serum dexamethasone concentrations of 1.26 (±0.28)×10−7 M on day 1, 1.44 (±0.15)×10−7 M on day 2 and 1.31 (±0.13)×10−7 M on day 3. Thus we conclude that dexamethasone concentration which inhibit PMN chemotaxisin vivo are much lower than those required to exert the same effectin vitro.

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Abbreviations

cpf:

cells counted per high power field

PMN:

polymorphonuclear leucocyte

FMLP:

formyl-methionylleucyl-phenylalanine

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Author notes

  1. D. A. Lomas

    Present address: Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, MRC Centre, Hills Road, CB2 2QH, Cambridge

Affiliations

  1. The Lung Immunobiochemical Research Laboratory, The Clinical Teaching Block, The General Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, B4 6NH, Birmingham, UK

    D. A. Lomas, M. Ip, A. Chamba & R. A. Stockley

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Lomas, D.A., Ip, M., Chamba, A. et al. The effect ofin vitro andin vivo dexamethasone on human neutrophil function. Agents and Actions 33, 279–285 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01986574

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Keywords

  • Dexamethasone
  • Anion Production
  • High Power Field
  • Human Neutrophil
  • Superoxide Anion Production