Effect of hydrocortisone treatment on oxygen metabolism and phagocytosis of peripheral blood neutrophils in asthmatic patients, sensitive and resistant to glucocorticosteroid therapy.

: The inflammatory activity of peripheral blood neutrophils of patients suffering from atopic asthma and treated with glucocorticosteroids was investigated. Two tests were performed: 1. chemiluminescence test of neutrophils, and 2. phagocytosis test of latex and bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus 209 P) by neutrophils before and after incubation of the cells with hydrocortisone. The tests were carried out in 3 selected groups of (1) asthmatic steroid sensitive patients, (2) asthmatic steroid resistant patients, and (3) healthy individuals. The neutrophil chemiluminescence stimulation index was found to be significantly lower in the asthmatic steroid sensitive group as compared to the other groups. The index increased in this group after neutrophil incubation with hydrocortisone. The results of phagocytosis of latex by neutrophils before and after their incubation with hydrocortisone were similar in all the 3 groups. The results of phagocytosis of bacteria by neutrophils in the asthmatic steroid sensitive group were significantly lower after incubation of neutrophils with hydrocortisone only.