In vitro immunosuppressive potency of deflazacort, a new bone-sparing corticosteroid on T lymphocytes, NK and K cells

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1986 Feb;21(2):125-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1986.tb05165.x.

Abstract

The in vitro immunosuppressive effect of deflazacort, a new bone-sparing glucocorticoid, and its biologically active metabolite, 21-deacetyl-deflazacort, was examined on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) as well as on natural killer (NK) and killer (K) cell activity. Deflazacort and the 21-deacetyl metabolite were as potent as prednisolone and hydrocortisone in suppressing PHA stimulated lymphocytes in a dose dependent way, but all were less potent than methylprednisolone. The physiological metabolites of hydrocortisone, dihydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisol were without any immunosuppressive effects in vitro. Deflazacort, 21-deacetyl-deflazacort, and methylprednisolone suppressed NK cell activity, while hydrocortisone and aldosterone had no effect on NK cells. K cell activity was resistent to all tested glucocorticoids except methylprednisolone at high concentrations. The present results indicate that deflazacort and 21-deacetyl-deflazacort are potent immunosuppressive drugs in vitro and, on a molar basis, equally as potent as prednisolone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldosterone / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Methylprednisolone / pharmacology
  • Pregnenediones / pharmacology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Pregnenediones
  • 21-deacetyldeflazacort
  • Aldosterone
  • deflazacort
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Methylprednisolone