Effects of Cortisone,Ascorbic Acid and Piromen on Phagocytosis in Mice. ∗ †

Abstract

Summary

Cortisone, ascorbic acid and Piromen were tested in mice for their effect upon macrophage activity as determined from the splenic uptake of colloidal ThO₂ and upon the phagocytic activity of leukocytes in the peritoneal cavity against Micrococcus aureus. Cortisone in high doses (0.1 to 1 mg every 12 hours) significantly enhanced phagocytic activity of both macrophages and leukocytes. Ascorbic acid in doses as high as 1 mg every 12 hours had no effect on the activity of macrophages but this dose did significantly enhance the phagocytic ability of leukocytes in the peritoneal cavity. Piromen (0.1 μg every 12 hours) significantly increased the phagocytic activity of both types of cells. However, doses above or below this value were without significant effect in either type of experiment. The more potent auxophagocytic agents (cortisone and Piromen) were without salutary effect when tested singly and in combination in protection experiments in mice challenged with predetermined doses of Klebsiella pneumoniae.