EFFECT OF ACUTE AND PROLONGED ADMINISTRATION OF PREDNISOLONE AND ACTH ON LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (3) , 467-473
Abstract
The effect of acute and prolonged 3 wk administration of prednisolone and ACTH on the numbers and function of T[thymus-derived]- and B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients requiring corticosteroid therapy was studied. Prednisolone caused severe reduction in E[erythrocyte]-rosette-forming lymphocytes, phytohemagglutinin response, EAC[E, antibody, complement]-rosette-forming lymphocytes and surface-membrane .mu.-positive B-lymphocytes maximal at 4-6 h after administration with reversal sometimes to supernormal levels by 24 h. Prolonged administration resulted in a similar pattern of response. Acute but not prolonged prednisolone administration caused a reduction in the percentage of E-rosette-forming lymphocytes maximal at 4 h. ACTH caused moderate reduction in these parameters at 4 and 6 h which remained low at 24 h after prolonged administration.