Influence of dexamethasone on some cellular aspects of the immune system in cats.
In view of the frequent use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of cats, we studied the effect of dexamethasone on their immunological system. The phagocytic activity and oxidative burst of neutrophils and monocytes were evaluated by cytometric analysis using commercial kits and the subpopulations of lymphocytes were assessed. Neutrophilia and monocytosis reduced phagocytic activity, as shown from the number of phagocytized bacteria, and variations in the intensity of the oxidative burst in activated neutrophils and monocytes were observed. Dexamethasone also caused an increase in the number of B lymphocytes.
Hoffmann-Jagielska
M
M
Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Warsaw, Nowoursynowska 159C, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland.
Winnicka
A
A
Jagielski
D
D
Lechowski
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000662:veterinary; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000276:immunology*; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006454:Hemoglobins; D003907:Dexamethasone