The chemopreventive effects of orally administered dexamethasone in Strain A/J mice following cessation of smoke exposure

Male Strain A/J mice were exposed for 6 mo, 6 h/d, 5d/wk to a mixture of cigarette sidestream and mainstream smoke with an average total suspended particulate concentration of 156 mg/m3. They then were removed into air and fed diet AIN93M containing 0.5 mg/kg of dexamethasone until killed 4 mo later for the evaluation of lung tumor multiplicities. In animals kept in air, an average of 1.3 tumors per lung was found, and in tobacco-smoke-exposed animals the average number of tumors per lung was 2.2 (p<.05). Addition of dexamethasone to the diet reduced lung tumor multiplicities in the tobacco smoke exposed animals to 1.4 (64% of control values), not quite statistically significant. In animals not exposed to tobacco smoke, however, dexamethasone significantly decreased lung tumor multiplicities to 46% of control values. In animals injected with the tobacco-smoke-specific carcinogen NNK [4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone], dietary dexamethasone significantly reduced lung tumor multiplicities to 38% of controls. It is concluded that the dietary intake of dexamethasone against full tobacco smoke might show improved chemopreventive activity when combined with other agents.     

Enhancement of human eosinophil apoptosis by fluticasone propionate, budesonide, and beclomethasone

Beclomethasone, budesonide, dexamethasone, and fluticasone propionate enhanced human eosinophil apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro as assessed by flow cytometric analysis and morphological analysis. The order of potency was fluticasone propionate (EC(50) 3.7+/-1.8 nM) approximately budesonide (EC(50) 5.0+/-1.7 nM)>beclomethasone (EC(50) 51+/-19 nM)>dexamethasone (EC(50) 303+/-40 nM). Hydrocortisone, prednisolone, and prednisone (up to 1 microM) did not induce any significant increase in eosinophil apoptosis. The apoptosis promoting effects of glucocorticoids on eosinophils were reversed by an antagonist of glucocorticoid receptor mifepristone. The survival-prolonging effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was reversed by dexamethasone and fluticasone (1 microM). In contrast, fluticasone, and dexamethasone (1 microM) did not reverse the survival-prolonging effects of interleukins-3 and -5 or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The results suggest that fluticasone and budesonide induce eosinophil apoptosis at clinically achievable drug concentrations via an effect on glucocorticoid receptor.     

瘤周压迫加瘤内注射平阳霉素与地塞米松治疗口腔颌面部血管瘤

目的 :观察瘤周压迫加平阳霉素与地塞米松联合注射治疗口腔颌面部海绵状血管瘤的疗效与不良反应。方法 :1 1 0例口腔颌面部海绵状血管瘤病人随机分为 2组 :治疗组 5 8例用平阳霉素 8mg加地塞米松 5mg溶于 2 %利多卡因 4mL中 ,瘤体周围用塑料杯压迫以阻断血流 ,瘤体内注射 ;对照组5 2例用药方法同治疗组 ,只是不用塑料杯压迫。结果 :治疗组总有效率 93 % ,对照组 71 % (P <0 .0 1 )。2组均未发现明显不良反应。结论 :瘤周压迫加平阳霉素与地塞米松联合注射治疗口腔颌面部海绵状血管瘤疗效优于单纯用药组     

The inhibition of esophageal tumor development by the use of the nonsteroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory preparations indomethacin and dexamethasone

The effects of indomethacin and dexamethasone on carcinogenesis of the esophagus and forestomach were studied in male rats. The rats were treated by N-nitrososarcosine ethyl ester (NSEE) per os in a daily dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for 16 weeks. Indomethacin (25 mg per kg of the food) and dexamethasone (1 mg per kg of the food) were added to food on accomplishing the carcinogen treatment for another 16 weeks, thereafter the animals were sacrificed. NSEE induced the esophagus and forestomach tumors approximately in 90% of cases, mainly papillomas and rarely carcinomas, on the average more than 5 tumors per nat. Indomethacin and dexamethasone were shown to inhibit the development of the NSEE-induced tumors both in the esophagus and forestomach. The both drugs decreased tumor incidence approximately by 20% and tumor multiplicity more than twofold.     

紫杉醇脂质体预处理用药方案的安全性研究

目的:探讨上消化道肿瘤用紫杉醇脂质体化疗的几种预处理用药方案的安全性方法:紫杉醇脂质体联合其它化疗药物治疗上消化道肿瘤26例。用紫杉醇脂质体前30min予地塞米松10 mg,静脉注射(i);地塞米松5 mg,静脉注射(ii);甲强龙40 mg,静脉注射(iii);或用紫杉醇脂质体前12 h及2 h口服地塞米松6 mg(i)、4.5 mg(ii)、2.25 mg(iii)。结果:化疗毒副反应主要为Ⅰ～Ⅱ度白细胞减少、贫血、恶心和呕吐,经对症处理后好转。与预处理相关的不良反应包括失眠、血糖升高、乏力、眩晕,无过敏性休克或治疗相关死亡发生。结论:用紫杉醇脂质体前30min予甲强龙40 mg,静脉注射,或用紫杉醇脂质体前12 h及2 h口服地塞米松2.25 mg是较好的预处理用药方案     

Glucocorticoid-induced reduction of prostanoid synthesis in TPA-differentiated U937 cells is mainly due to a reduced cyclooxygenase activity

The molecular mechanism of the glucocorticoid-induced inhibition of prostanoid synthesis was investigated in human monoblastoid U937 tumor cells and phorbol ester (TPA)-differentiated U937 cells. Prostanoid synthesis was inhibited in TPA-differentiated U937 cells by glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone and prednisolone, whereas aldosterone and progesterone showed no inhibitory effect. None of these methods had any influence on prostanoid secretion of undifferentiated U937 cells. Receptor binding studies revealed the presence of glucocorticoid receptors in both undifferentiated and TPA-differentiated U937 cells (Kp approximately 5 x 10(-9)M), however, the number of receptors per cell was increased 10-fold in TPA-differentiated U937 cells. Expression of lipocortin I and II as measured by Western blot analysis was not affected by dexamethasone. In TPA-differentiated cells, dexamethasone decreased the activities of two enzymes essential for prostanoid synthesis, cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2, by 60-70% and 30%, respectively. Cells pretreated with the translation inhibitor cyclohexmide and dexamethasone showed similar cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2 activities as cells treated with cycloheximide alone. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the significantly decreased cyclooxygenase activity correlated with an inhibited protein synthesis. In this human macrophage-like model glucocorticoids thus interfere at least at two levels with prostanoid synthesis by inhibiting the activities of phospholipase A2 as well as cyclooxygenase.     

Inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on hepatocyte growth factor-induced DNA synthesis and proliferation in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes

We investigated the effects of dexamethasone on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced DNA synthesis and proliferation in serum-free primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Isolated hepatocytes were cultured at a density of 3.3 × 10(4) cells/cm(2) in Williams' medium E containing 5% newborn bovine serum and various concentrations of dexamethasone for 1, 2, and 3 h. After a 3-h attachment period, the medium was then changed, and cells were cultured in serum-free dexamethasone (10(-10) M)-containing Williams' medium E with or without glucocorticoid receptor antagonists. After addition of dexamethasone to the culture medium, the growth-stimulating effects of HGF (5 ng/mL) on the primary cultured hepatocytes were time- and dose-dependently inhibited. The mineralcorticoid aldosterone (10(-7) M) did not produce the same growth-inhibitory effects as dexamethasone (10(-8) M). The inhibitory effects of dexamethasone were reversed by treatment with the glucocorticoid-receptor antagonist mifepristone (RU486, 10(-6) M) or a monoclonal antibody against glucocorticoid receptor (100 ng/mL). In addition, the growth-inhibitory dose of dexamethasone did not affect HGF-induced receptor tyrosine kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 phosphorylation. These results indicate that dexamethasone dose-dependently delays and inhibits HGF-induced DNA synthesis and proliferation through its own intracellular receptor in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes.     

Effect of dexamethasone on cytochrome P-450 mediated metabolism of 2-acetylaminofluorene in cultured rat hepatocytes

The metabolism of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) to its six oxidative metabolites has been used to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on cytochrome P-450 activity in cultured rat hepatocytes. In control hepatocytes the metabolism of AAF to its 1-, 5-, 7-, 9- and N-hydroxylated metabolites rapidly declined in culture over the first 24 hr while 3-hydroxylation remained relatively constant. These activities either remained unchanged or increased slightly during the next 48 hr in culture. The addition of dexamethasone (100 nM) to the culture medium had little effect in arresting the initial decline but by 72 hr the 7-, 5- and 3-hydroxylations increased to values 2.5, 16 and 21 times the respective 24-hr values. The inductive effect of dexamethasone on the 3- and 5-hydroxylations of AAF was maximal at 100 nM whereas the 7-hydroxylation increased linearly as a function of the dexamethasone concentration up to 1 microM. Cortisol and corticosterone and the non-glucocorticoids fluoxymesterone and methyltestosterone induced a pattern of AAF metabolism resembling that in dexamethasone-treated cultures, suggesting that a range of steroids not restricted to glucocorticoids may induce multiple cytochrome P-450 isozymes via related mechanisms. Pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile induced only the 7-hydroxylation of AAF probably reflecting induction of cytochrome P-450p. While dexamethasone was a strong inducer of the 3- and 5-hydroxylations of AAF in hepatocyte culture, assay of these activities in freshly isolated cells after in vivo treatment with dexamethasone showed a strong induction of 7-hydroxylation but only small effects on 3- and 5-hydroxylations. Indeed the profile of AAF metabolism induced in culture by dexamethasone resembles more closely the profile induced by 3-methylcholanthrene in vivo. These data suggest that factors yet to be identified strongly influence the steroid-induced pattern of cytochrome P-450 gene expression.     

米非司酮对胰岛素抵抗人脐静脉内皮细胞功能的影响及其机制

目的：考察米非司酮对单用或合并使用胰岛素和地塞米松诱导的胰岛素抵抗人脐静脉内皮细胞功能的影响,并初步探讨其作用机制。方法：1）将常规培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞随机分为正常对照组,胰岛素（5×10^-6、5×10^-1和5×10^-8mol·L^-1）组,地塞米松（3×10^-5和3×10^-6mol·L^1）组,胰岛素（2．5×10^-8mol·L^-1）＋地塞米松（1．5×10^-6和1．5×10^-7mol·L^1）组。培养24或48h后,测定各组细胞葡萄糖消耗量,以考察人脐静脉内皮细胞胰岛素抵抗的形成情况,并通过胰岛素刺激和模型持续时间研究进一步验证造模效果。2）将人脐静脉内皮细胞随机分为正常对照组,米非司酮（1×10^-5、1×10^-6和1×10^-7mol·L^1）组,胰岛素（5×10^-7mol·L^1）组,胰岛素（5×10^-7mol·L^-1）＋米非司酮（1×10^-5、1×10^-6、1×10～×10^-7mol·L^1）组,地塞米松（3×10^-5mol·L^-1）组,地塞米松（3×10^-5mol·L^-1）＋米非司酮（1×10^-5、1×10^-6和1×10^-7mol·L^1）组,胰岛素（2．5×10^-5mol·L^1）＋地塞米松（1．5×10^-6mol·L^1）组,胰岛素（2．5×10^-8mol·L^-1）＋地塞米松（1．5×10^-6mol·L^-1）＋米非司酮（1×10^-5、1×10^-6和1×10^-7mol·L^1）组。分别加入不同浓度的药物培养24或48h,然后对各组细胞葡萄糖消耗量、一氧化氮含量、一氧化氮合酶活性和抗超氧阴离子自由基活力单位进行测定,以考察细胞功能状态变化。结果：1）胰岛素（5×10^-7mol·L^-1）作用24h可诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞发生胰岛素抵抗并可维持24h,地塞米松（3×10^-5mol·L^-1）作用48h可诱导细胞的胰岛索抵抗并可维持36h,胰岛素（2．5×10^-8mol·L^-1）＋地塞米松（1．5×10^-6molL^-1）共同作用48h可诱导细胞的胰岛素抵抗并可维持24h。2）地塞米松（3×10^-5mol·L^-1）＋米非司酮（1×10^-5和1×10^-6mol·L^-1）组,以及胰岛素（2．5×10^-8mol·L^-1）＋地塞米松（1．5×10^-6mol·L^-1）＋米非司酮（1×10^-5和1×10^-6mol·L^-1）组人脐静脉内皮细胞的葡萄糖摄取量、一氧化氮含量、一氧化氮合酶活性和抗超氧阴离子自由基活力单位分别显著高于地塞米松（3×10^-5mol·L^-1）组和胰岛素（2．5×10^-8mol·L^-1）＋地塞米松（1．5×10^-6mol·L^-1）组;胰岛素（5×10^-5mol·L^-1）＋米非司酮（1×10^-5、1×10^-6和1×10^-7mol·L^-1）组细胞的上述指标则与胰岛素（5××10^-7mol·L^-1）组无显著性差异。结论：胰岛素、地塞米松单独使用及合用均可诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞出现胰岛素抵抗并持续一定时间;米非司酮可改善地塞米松及地塞米松＋胰岛素诱导的胰岛素抵抗内皮细胞的功能紊乱,而对胰岛素诱导的胰岛素抵抗无改善作用。     

Isoforskolin pretreatment attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in animal models

Isoforskolin was isolated from Coleus forskohlii native to Yunnan in China. We hypothesize that isoforskolin pretreatment attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin). Three acute lung injury models were used: situ perfused rat lung, rat and mouse models of endotoxic shock. Additionally, lipopolysaccharide stimulated proinflammatory cytokine production was evaluated in human mononuclear leukocyte. In situ perfused rat lungs, pre-perfusion with isoforskolin (100, and 200 μM) and dexamethasone (65 μM, positive control) inhibited lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/L) induced increases in lung neutrophil adhesion rate, myeloperoxidase activity, lung weight Wet/Dry ratio, permeability-surface area product value, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. In rats, pretreatments with isoforskolin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) and dexamethasone (5mg/kg, i.p.) markedly reduced lipopolysaccharide (6 mg/kg i.v.) induced increases of karyocyte, neutrophil counts and protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and plasma myeloperoxidase activity. Lung histopathology showed that morphologic changes induced by lipopolysaccharide were less pronounced in the isoforskolin and dexamethasone pretreated rats. In mice, 5 mg/kg isoforskolin and dexamethasone caused 100% and 80% survival, respectively, after administration of lipopolysaccharide (62.5mg/kg, i.v., 40% survival if untreated). In human mononuclear leukocyte, isoforskolin (50, 100, and 200 μM) and dexamethasone (10 μM) pre-incubation lowered lipopolysaccharide (2 μg/mL) induced secretion of the cytokine TNF-α, and interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. In conclusion, pretreatment with isoforskolin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in several models, and it is involved in down-regulation of inflammatory responses and proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8.     

Repeated paroxetine treatment reverses anhedonia induced in rats by chronic mild stress or dexamethasone.

The present study was designed to assess the effect of dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid receptor agonist, in the sucrose preference test in rats. Rats treated acutely with dexamethasone (5-10 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease in sucrose preference (anhedonia) in comparison to vehicle treated rats, although 1 mg/kg dexamethasone did not alter the sucrose preference. Daily paroxetine treatment (10 g/kg, i.p., 14 days) reversed the anhedonic effect of acute dexamethasone (5 mg/kg), while causing no increased sucrose preference in rats that received dexamethasone vehicle. The paroxetine vehicle treated rats showed anhedonia even 14 days after acute dexamethasone administration. Paroxetine (10 mk/kg, i.p. for 28 days) also reversed anhedonia induced by chronic mild stress (8 weeks). In conclusion, acute dexamethasone induced an enduring anhedonic state that was reversed by repeated paroxetine treatment. Thus, the present study adds new data to the evidence supporting an important role for glucocorticoid in depression.     

Upregulation by glucocorticoids of responses to eosinopoietic cytokines in bone-marrow from normal and allergic mice

Since the production of eosinopoietic cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-5) is inhibited by glucocorticoids, while responsiveness to these cytokines is enhanced in bone-marrow of allergic mice, we studied the ability of glucocorticoids to modulate murine bone-marrow eosinopoiesis. Progenitor (semi-solid) and/or precursor (liquid) cultures were established from bone-marrow of: (a) normal mice; (b) ovalbumin-sensitized and challenged mice or (c) dexamethasone (1-5 mg kg(-1)) injected mice. Cultures were established with GM-CSF (2 ng ml(-1)) or IL-5 (1 ng ml(-1)), respectively, alone or associated with dexamethasone, hydrocortisone or corticosterone. Total myeloid colony numbers, frequency and size of eosinophil colonies, and numbers of eosinophil-peroxidase-positive cells were determined at day 7. In BALB/c mice, dexamethasone (10(-7) M) increased GM-CSF-stimulated myeloid colony formation (P = 0.01), as well as the frequency (P=0.01) and size (P<0.01) of eosinophil colonies. Dexamethasone (10(-7) M) alone had no effect. Dexamethasone (10(-7)-10(-10) M) increased (P<0.002) eosinophil precursor responses to IL-5. Potentiation by dexamethasone was still detectable: (a) on low density, immature, nonadherent BALB/c bone-marrow cells, (b) on bone-marrow from other strains, and (c) on cells from allergic mice. Hydrocortisone and corticosterone had similar effects. Dexamethasone administered in vivo, 24 h before bone-marrow harvest, increased subsequent progenitor responses to GM-CSF (P = 0.001) and precursor responses to IL-5 (P<0.001). These effects were blocked by RU 486 (20 mg kg(-1), orally, 2 h before dexamethasone, or added in vitro at 10 microM, P<0.001). Glucocorticoids, acting in vivo or in vitro, through glucocorticoid receptors, enhance bone-marrow eosinopoiesis in na?ve and allergic mice.     

Determination of dexamethasone in milk of dairy cows by immuno-enzymatic assay

Eight lactating cows received 3 im injections at 24 h intervals of a commercial formulation containing dexamethasone. Each treatment provided 25 microg/kg bw/d of dexamethasone acetate, equivalent to 22.6 mg of dexamethasone. Milk samples were obtained before treatment (5 d), during the treatment period, and for up to 22 milking after the last injection. The concentrations of dexamethasone in the milk samples were determined by a commercial competitive immunoenzymatic assay for corticosteroids (detection limit 0.15 ng dexamethasone/ml). The conventional therapeutic dose of dexamethasone acetate caused milk drug concentrations exceeding the tolerated maximum residue limit (0.3 mg/kg). A withdrawal time of 3-3.5 d for dexamethasone in milk provided sufficient protection for consumer health. The commercial enzyme immunoassay kit employed in this study was sufficiently sensitive, easy to use, and appropriate to monitor the use of dexamethasone in lactating animals.     

吉西也滨联合长瑞滨、地塞米松在复发性非霍奇金淋巴瘤治疗中的作用

目的 探讨吉西他滨联合长春瑞滨、地塞米松治疗复发性非霍奇金淋巴瘤的临床价值.方法 将18例复方性非霍奇金淋巴瘤作为研究对象,所有患者均采用盐酸吉西他滨联合长春瑞滨、地塞米松的化疗方案,观察患者的疗效、不良反应及随访肿瘤的进展时间.结果 复发性非霍奇金淋巴瘤的整体有效率为55.56％,完全缓解率为22.22％,在B细胞、T细胞分类上疗效未见统计学意义（x 2=0.969,P=0.809）;常见的毒性作用以骨髓抑制为主,5例患者出现胃肠道反应,1例出现轻度肝功能损害;进行2年的随访后10例患者未出现肿瘤进展,8例患者（44.4％）的肿瘤进展时间（TTP）为4.9个月.结论 采用吉西他滨联合长春瑞滨、地塞米松对复发性非霍奇金淋巴瘤的治疗近期疗效确切、不良反应较轻,拥有较低的复发率.     

地塞米松、吲哚美辛和白藜芦醇对巴豆油致炎小鼠耳部基质金属蛋白酶-9的抑制作用

目的研究巴豆油致炎小鼠耳部基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）的表达，以及地塞米松、吲哚美辛和白藜芦醇对MMP-9表达的影响。方法免疫组织化学法测定巴豆油致炎小鼠耳部MMP-9表达，明胶酶谱法测定U937细胞MMP-9表达。结果地塞米松和吲哚美辛以及白藜芦醇对巴豆油引起的小鼠耳肿胀有明显抑制作用；对巴豆油引起的小鼠耳部MMP-9表达以及PMA诱导的U937细胞MMP-9表达也有显著抑制作用。结论巴豆油致炎小鼠耳部MMP-9表达增高；地塞米松、吲哚美辛和白藜芦醇的抗炎作用可能与抑制MMP-9表达增高有关。     

The effects of dexamethasone on palate mesenchymal cell phospholipase activity

Corticosteroids will induce cleft palate in mice. One suggested mechanism for this effect is through inhibition of phospholipase activity. This hypothesis was tested by measuring the effects of dexamethasone, a synthetic corticosteroid, on phospholipase activity in cultures of palate mesenchymal cells. Palate mesenchymal cells were prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid. The cells were subsequently treated with various concentrations of dexamethasone. Concurrently, cultures of M-MSV-transformed 3T3 cells were prepared identically. After treatment, phospholipase activity was stimulated by the addition of serum or epidermal growth factor (EGF), and radioactivity released into the medium was taken as a measure of phospholipase activity. Dexamethasone (1 X 10(-5) or 1 X 10(-4) M) could inhibit serum-stimulated phospholipase activity in transformed 3T3 cells after 1 to 24 hr of treatment. However, no inhibition of activity was measured in palate mesenchymal cells following this period of treatment. Not until 120 hr of treatment with dexamethasone (1 X 10(-4) M) was any significant inhibition of serum-stimulated phospholipase activity observed in palate mesenchymal cells. When EGF was used to stimulate phospholipase activity, dexamethasone (1 X 10(-5) M) caused an increase in phospholipase activity in palate mesenchymal cells. These observations suggested that phospholipase in transformed 3T3 cells was sensitive to inhibition by dexamethasone. However, palate mesenchymal cell phospholipase is only minimally sensitive to dexamethasone, and in certain instances can be enhanced. These results cannot support the hypothesis that corticosteroids mediate their teratogenic effect via inhibition of phospholipase activity.     

Effects of dexamethasone and SB 209670 on the regional haemodynamic responses to lipopolysaccharide in conscious rats.

1. Male (350-450 g) Long Evans rats were chronically instrumented to permit regional haemodynamics to be monitored in the conscious state. In the first experiment, either saline (0.4 ml h-1) or dexamethasone (3 mg kg-1, 125 micrograms kg-1 h-1) was infused continuously for 24 h, before co-infusion of lipopolysaccharide of (LPS, 150 micrograms kg-1 h-1) for 24 h. Dexamethasone prevented the delayed (5-24 h) fall in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and the renal and hindquarters vasodilatation seen with LPS infusion alone, but not the initial (about 2 h) fall in MAP or renal vasodilatation. However, at this dose, dexamethasone itself caused a significant rise in MAP and regional vasoconstrictions. 2. In the second experiment, dexamethasone at a lower dose (12.5 micrograms kg-1 h-1) had only slight pressor and vasoconstrictor effects. However, in its presence, infusion of LPS caused a substantial and progressive rise in MAP (maximum at 8 h, +32 +/- 3 mmHg) together with persistent mesenteric and hindquarters vasoconstriction and a transient renal vasodilatation. 3. In the third experiment, the non-selective endothelin antagonist, SB 209670 (600 micrograms kg-1 h-1), blocked the slight pressor and regional vasoconstrictor effects of the lower dose of dexamethasone. Furthermore, in the presence of dexamethasone and SB 209670, infusion of LPS caused marked, but transient hypotension (nadir at 5 h, -24 +/- 2 mmHg) and renal and mesenteric vasodilatation. 4. At the end of all experimental protocols, sequential administration of the AT1-receptor antagonist, losartan, followed by the V1-receptor antagonist, (+)-(CH2)5-O-Me-Tyr, vasopressin, caused effects indicating a variable involvement of angiotensin and vasopressin in the maintenance of cardiovascular status. 5. Collectively, the results indicate that, in the conscious rat, dexamethasone interacts with vasoconstrictor and vasodilator mechanisms, and hence its influence on the haemodynamic responses to LPS cannot be attributed, simply, to inhibition of the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase and/or cyclo-oxygenase-2.     

The role of alpha-adrenoceptors in the amnestic effect of intracerebroventricular dexamethasone.

Corticosteroids exert dual enhancing or impairing effects on cognitive functions. While their memory-enhancing effects have been well investigated, the mechanisms involved in their amnestic effects are not completely understood. Thus, we examined the role of alpha-adrenoceptors on dexamethasone-induced amnesia using step-through passive avoidance test in rat. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of dexamethasone (5 and 10 microg per rat) decreased the retention latencies. Likewise, intraperitoneal administration of alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine (0.1-0.3 mg kg(-1)) but not alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (0.5-2 mg kg(-1)) decreased the retention latency. Yohimbine pre-treatment decreased the amnestic effects of dexamethasone or dexamethasone plus clonidine. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (0.5-2 mg kg(-1)) per se increased, while prazosin at 2 mg kg(-1) decreased the retention latency. Administration of phenylephrine before dexamethasone completely reversed the amnestic effect of the latter, while prozosin did not affect dexamethasone-induced amnesia. These data suggest that dexamethasone may induce its amnestic effect through activation of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors, leading to decreased alpha(1)-adrenergic activity.     

HPLC determination of glucocorticoid alcohols, their phosphates and hydrocortisone in aqueous solutions and biological fluids

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assays are described for the determination of dexamethasone phosphate, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone and for the determination of triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone acetonide phosphate and hydrocortisone in aqueous solutions and biological fluids. These assays allow quantification of the glucocorticoids in plasma down to a concentration of 100 ng ml(-1) (dexamethasone phosphate 300 ng ml(-1), hydrocortisone 40 ng ml(-1)). During the development of optimum extraction procedures the pK(a) values of the esters were determined by extractions performed at different pH values. The stability in vitro of the phosphate esters in ampoules, plasma and blood was studied. The esters are stable in their formulated ampoules after long-term storage, whereas the half-life in vitro of dexamethasone phosphate in plasma at 37 degrees C is 5 h and that of triamcinolone acetonide phosphate is 3.5 h. Determination by HPLC of endogenous hydrocortisone in samples from patients who received either dexamethasone phosphate or triamcinolone acetonide phosphate gave results identical with those obtained by radio-immunoassay (RIA).