[A combined effect of cortisol and concanavalin A on calcium ion contents in thymic lymphocytes]

The influence of hydrocortisone (1-10 microM) on mitogen-induced Ca level was studied in cytoplasma thymocytes of rat. The investigation was conducted with the use of fluorescence technique (FURA-2AM). A specific Ca-blocking effect of the hormone was observed in the thymocytes of intact animals. Hydrocortisone did not change Ca-response of mitogen-stimulated hormone-resistant thymic lymphocytes. A conclusion was made about applicability of this method to assess the response of the cells to glucocorticoids in vitro.