IN-VITRO EFFECT OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS ON PHAGOCYTIC FUNCTION OF SHEEP ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES

The potentiation of infection is a recognized adverse effect of steroi ds. This study examined the in vitro effect of glucocorticoids on shee p alveolar macrophage phagocytic function, an essential means of cellu lar defence in the lungs, by evaluating the phagocytosis of zymosan pa rticles after 30 min of contact between alveolar macrophages and stero ids. Hydrocortisone, dexamethasone phosphate and methylprednisolone si gnificantly reduced the phagocytic capability of sheep alveolar macrop hages, but the effects of dexamethasone isonicotinate, prednisolone an d flumethasone were less marked.