Action of Hydrocortisone on Cells in Tissue Culture. ∗

Abstract

Summary

1. In a medium consisting of chicken plasma and amniotic fluid, growth inhibition by soluble F ale. in concentrations from 200 μg/ml can be demonstrated consistently. 2. When EE is added to the culture medium, growth inhibition occurs only in a higher concentration of soluble F ale. The suggestion that EE contains a principle antagonistic to the inhibitory action of F ale. is discussed. 3. Growth of epithelium from stomach and intestine is not affected by F alc., while growth of fibroblasts is suppressed. 4. Reversibility of the effect of F ale. after its removal from the medium, and its selective inhibitory action on fibroblasts indicate that its inhibitory action in vitro is related to its known action in vivo, in particular to the retardation of regeneration in wounds experimentally produced in animals. 5. Aqueous soluble DOC in similar concentrations has an effect similar to soluble F ale. and cholesterol in suspension has a minimal inhibitory effect on cell growth. This observation differs from the in vivo findings and warrants further investigation.