We have shown prevoiusly that cortisol-sensitive lymphocytes (thymocytes) have a much lower capacity than cortisol-resistant cells to catabolize cortisol. We have also shown that sera of cancer patients (CPS) possess ethanol-extractable substance(s) which can inhibit the catabolism of cortisol by lymphocytes (CCL). Recently, we noted that unsaturated fatty acids can both inhibit CCL and modulate the sensitivity of lymphocytes to cortisol. In the present study, we attempt to identify the compounds responsible for CCL inhibition and to demonstrate that inhibition of CCL may make cortisol-resistant lymphocytes vulnerable to the steroid. The enzymes DNase, RNase, pronase and lipase were added to ethanol extracts of serum as a first step in our efforts to identify the nature of the inhibitors of CCL. Only lipase had an effect on the inhibition. In fact, lipase enhanced the inhibition of CCL. This finding correlates with our previous observations that unsaturated fatty acids are potent inhibitors of CCL. Examining the effect of ethanol extracts of CPS and normal serum on the vulnerability of lymphocytes to cortisol, we noted that ethanol extracts of normal serum had no significant killing effect, whereas an ethanol extract of CPS makes lymphocytes more sensitive to cortisol. Since the adsorbance of free fatty acids of CPS by defatted albumin reduced but did not eliminate the capacity of the serum to inhibit CCL, we assume that other compounds besides free fatty acids might also be involved in CCL inhibition and modulation of the sensitivity of lymphocytes to cortisol.

This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.