Quantitative relationship of antagonistic and inhibitory activities of certain adrenal steroids in an in vitro biological system.

Abstract

The in vitro effect of hydrocortisone, desoxycorticosterone and aldosterone has been studied in an isolated biological system. The system involved the quantitation of the leucocyte agglutination that occurs spontaneously when blood leucocytes are incubated. At critical hormone concentrations hydrocortisone inhibited whereas desoxycorticosterone and aldosterone stimulated the process. At higher concentrations the effects of hydrocortisone and desoxycorticosterone reversed. The stimulation of leucocyte agglutination by aldosterone and desoxycorticosterone can be inhibited by critical concentrations of hydrocortisone.