Dose and time-related in vitro effects of glucocorticoid on phagocytosis and nitrite release by splenic macrophages of wall lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis

Glucocorticoids (GC) are usually considered to be immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory. However, recent studies in mammals have demonstrated the diverse effects of GC on non-specific host-defense mechanism, depending on dose or duration of treatment. Hence, in the present study in vitro dose and time-related effects of glucocorticoid, i.e. hydrocortisone (HC) on phagocytosis and nitrite production by LPS-induced splenic macrophages in wall lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis has been investigated. Hydrocortisone suppressed percentage phagocytosis, phagocytic index and nitrite production by splenic macrophages even at the lowest concentration (10(-13) M) for a short-term exposure (4 h). Hydrocortisone-induced suppression enhanced with the increase of concentration or duration of exposure time. The suppressive effect of hydrocortisone on phagocytic and cytotoxic activities of splenic macrophages was further corroborated since the pre-exposure of macrophages to glucocorticoid-receptor blocker (RU 486) considerably reduced the hydrocortisone-induced suppression of phagocytosis and nitrite production. The present study suggests that GC instead of diverse effects, has dose- and time-dependent immunosuppressive effect on non-specific host-defense immune responses in wall lizard H. flaviviridis.