Inhibitory Effects of Cortisone Acetate and Hydrocortisone on Growth of Fibroblasts.

Abstract

The effect of cortisone acetate and hydrocortisone (free alcohol) on the growth of L strain mouse fibroblasts was studied. Addition of 10 [mu]g/ml of either steroid to the culture fluid, after 11 days of incubation, resulted in a decrease in total cell count when compared with counts in control cultures. Hydrocortisone was the more inhibitory agent. The effect of 3 concentrations of hydrocortisone (10, 20, and 50 [mu]g/ml) on growth of fibroblasts over a 14-day period was established. The most marked inhibitory effect was produced during the first 7 days of culture. Fifty micrograms per milliliter were approximately twice as inhibitory as the lesser amounts of hydrocortisone. Deviations from normal morphology of fibroblasts were seen in the steroid-treated cells. The cell processes were shortened, cells were swollen and flattened and tended to cohere in sheets. A great number of giant cells, often multinuclear or with nuclei irregularly shaped, were present. The cytoplasm contained many vacuoles.