Corticosteroid Administration and Localized Leukocyte Mobilization in Man

Abstract

Mobilization of leukocytes into a serum-filled chamber was quantitatively measured in duplicate in normal subjects during two control periods and while they were receiving prednisone or dexamethasone. The normal mobilization of leukocytes from blood to chamber serum (71.6 X 10⁶ per square centimeter of abrasion surface per 24 hours) was slightly decreased by prednisone (62.8 X 10⁶ per square centimeter per 24 hours) but significantly increased by dexamethasone (132.3 X 10⁶ per square centimeter per 24 hours). By calculation the clearance of granulocytes from blood to serum was significantly decreased by prednisone. This difference in the effect of the two steroids may be of relevance when extravascular granulocytes are of importance in defense against bacterial invasion during corticosteroid treatment.