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Dexamethasone down‐regulates the expression of L‐selectin on the surface of neutrophils and lymphocytes in humans*
Author(s) -
Jilma Bernd,
Voltmann Jann,
Albinni Said,
Stohlawetz Petra,
Schwarzinger Ilse,
Gleiter Christoph H.,
Rauch Alexandra,
Eichler Hans Georg,
Wagner Oswald F.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1016/s0009-9236(97)90052-7
Subject(s) - dexamethasone , l selectin , medicine , saline , crossover study , dexamethasone sodium phosphate , endocrinology , lymphocyte , placebo , corticosteroid , pharmacology , immunology , pathology , receptor , alternative medicine
Objective On the basis of previous animal studies, we hypothesized that dexamethasone may reduce the expression of L‐selectin on neutrophils and lymphocytes in healthy men. Methods A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, and three‐way crossover trial was conducted in nine healthy men. Every subject received four identical infusions of saline solution, 0.04 mg/kg dexamethasone, or 1.0 mg/kg dexamethasone during three observation periods of 48 hours each. Results Dexamethasone time and dose dependently decreased the L‐selectin expression on neutrophils and lymphocytes as measured by flowcytometry. This effect occurred with a time lag of 8 hours after start of treatment: the L‐selectin binding index of neutrophils decreased by a maiximum of −50% (confidence interval [CI], −37% to −63%) and that of lymphocytes by −26% (CI, −8% to −45%) at 32 hours after the start of treatment with high‐dose dexamethasone ( p < 0.016). Low‐dose dexamethasone had only a transient effect on L‐selectin expression of lymphocytes and a less pronounced effect on L‐selectin expression of neutrophils. Conclusion Dexamethasone time and dose dependently decreases L‐selectin expression on neutrophils and lymphocytes in healthy men, an effect that is less pronounced than that previously reported for animals. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1997) 62 , 562–568; doi: