THE EFFECT OF HYDROCORTISONE AND OF PIROMEN IN VITRO ON LEUKOCYTES OF PATIENTS RECEIVING ACTH AND CORTISONE THERAPY 1

Abstract

By a method which measures release of lysozyme from cells (an index of cellular injury), the effect of adrenocorticosteroids on the susceptibility of human leukocytes to injury was investigated. Leukocytes from patients receiving intraven. ACTH or oral cortisone in high dosage released significantly less lysozyme on exposure to injury by mechanical trauma or by a toxic bacterial derivative than did leukocytes from untreated patients. The max. protective effect of the hormones did not correlate with disappearance of eosinophils and usually required several days for development. Leukocytes from patients on smaller doses of cortisone did not differ from controls in their susceptibility to injury as measured by the release of lysozyme from the cells. Lessened susceptibility to injury could be induced in leukocytes from untreated patients and patients on maintenance cortisone therapy by exposure of the cells in vitro to cortisone or hydro-cortisone. The effect was apparent in 5-6 hours, in contrast to the period of several days necessary for development of a similar effect in vivo. Lysates of leukocytes of patients on high-dosage or maintenance cortisone did not differ from controls in their lysozyme content. Lysates of leukocytes of patients receiving intraven. ACTH showed less lysozyme activity than did controls.