title: The effect of acute and prolonged administration of prednisolone and ACTH on lymphocyte subpopulations.
abstract: The effect of acute and prolonged three week administration of prednisolone and ACTH on the numbers and function of T- and B-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients requiring corticosteroid therapy was studied. Prednisolone caused severe reduction in E-rosette-forming lymphocytes, phytohaemagglutinin response, EAC-rosette-forming lymphocytes and surface-membrane mu-positive B-lymphocytes maximal at 4--6 hr after administration with reversal sometimes to supernormal levels by 24 hr. 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 hr. ACTH caused moderate reduction in these parameters at 4 and 6 hr which remained low at 24 hr after prolonged administration.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011239:Prednisolone