Cytopathological changes associated with continuous and intermittent exposure to glucocorticoids using raw cell line...

In a world of pathogens, the ability to detect an incipient infection and to respond rapidly and appropriately to it, is a decisive part of our survival strategy. The innate immune system provides the first response to an infection by initiating an inflammatory response. The monocyte surface of the molecule CD14 is a key element in this response system. Over activation of the inflammatory response can lead to systemic inflammation and septic shock. Glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents that act on many cells of the body, including monocytes/macrophages. The specific aim of this investigation was to compare the role of conventional versus sustained delivery of Cortisol on the viability and morphology of RAW 264.7 macrophages. RAW cells were obtained from American Type Culture Collection. Standard laboratory protocols were followed in cell plating (10(4) cells/well), phase terminating, and morphological evaluation. The experimental design consisted of two phases. Each phase had non-treated control groups and experimental groups. The results of this investigation yielded that: (i) TCP drug delivery system was capable of providing sustained and continuous release of Cortisol as evidenced by survival of cells in all experimental wells, and (ii) regardless of the Cortisol concentration, RAW cells were viable throughout the experimental periods. Overall, the results of this study provide a comparative analysis of the modes of actions of steriods; and, the results document the effects of the susceptibility of infection based on route.