In vitro immunosuppressive potency of deflazacort, a new bone‐sparing corticosteroid on T lymphocytes, NK and K cells.

Abstract

The in vitro immunosuppressive effect of deflazacort, a new bone‐ sparing glucocorticoid, and its biologically active metabolite, 21‐ deacetyl‐deflazacort, was examined on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) as well as on natural killer (NK) and killer (K) cell activity. Deflazacort and the 21‐deacetyl metabolite were as potent as prednisolone and hydrocortisone in suppressing PHA stimulated lymphocytes in a dose dependent way, but all were less potent than methylprednisolone. The physiological metabolites of hydrocortisone, dihydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisol were without any immunosuppressive effects in vitro. Deflazacort, 21‐deacetyl‐deflazacort, and methylprednisolone suppressed NK cell activity, while hydrocortisone and aldosterone had no effect on NK cells. K cell activity was resistent to all tested glucocorticoids except methylprednisolone at high concentrations. The present results indicate that deflazacort and 21‐deacetyl‐deflazacort are potent immunosuppressive drugs in vitro and, on a molar basis, equally as potent as prednisolone. 1986 The British Pharmacological Society