Effects of Hydrocortisone on the Yield and Bactericidal Function of Granulocytes Collected by Continuous-flow Centrifugation

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Abstract
The usefulness of granulocyte transfusions is in part dependent upon the number of granulocytes transfused. The invention of the continuous-flow cell separator has made it possible to obtain granulocytes from normal donors. Efforts to improve the yield are under study. This controlled study was undertaken to determine the effect of a single dose of hydrocortisone on granulocyte yield from volunteer donors and on granulocyte bactericidal function. Twenty-two normal volunteers were randomized between no therapy or a single intravenous injection of 120 mg/sq m of hydrocortisone 2 hr prior to initiation of a 4-hr leukapheresis using the Aminco cell separator operated at 750 rpm and a flow rate of 41 ml/min. Significant increases in granulocyte yield and reductions in lymphocyte and monocyte yields were obtained in the hydrocortisone-treated group. Granulocytes from each group were equally effective in the phagocytosis of yeast particles and in vitro bactericidal activity.