Appearance and persistence of 11 beta-hydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione (delta HOP) effect [quot ]in vivo[quot ]

ABSTRACT

The effect [quot ]in vivo[quot ] of 11 beta-hydroxy-pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione (delta HOP) in acute and chronic treatment was studied in mice compared to those treated with dexamethasone and vehicle. In acute experiments an injection of 2 mg/100 g body weight of delta HOP had a maximal inhibitory effect in 3H-uridine incorporation by thymocytes 18 h after the injection, disappearing 36 h later, meanwhile no change was observed in plasma corticosterone levels at any time. The dose 0.033 mg/100 g body weight of dexamethasone produced a high inhibition 5 h after the injection, and a significant decrease in plasma corticosterone was produced at this time; the effect disappeared at 24 h. In the chronic treatment delta HOP produced the maximal inhibition 5 h after the treatment; this effect was maintained until 36 h and disappeared at 48 h without change in corticosterone levels. Meanwhile dexamethasone produced the same inhibition as delta HOP 5 h after the treatment; this effect disappeared after 18 h. In those animals plasma corticosterone decreased during longer time than in acute treatment, since it continued lower than normal at 18 h and it recovered at 24 h. After 5 h of a chronic treatment delta HOP did not change thymus and spleen weights, but they decreased with dexamethasone treatment. These results suggest that the [quot ]in vivo[quot ] actions of delta HOP is different from that of glucocorticoids.