[Quantitative-cytochemical evaluation of acid phosphatase activity in skin window macrophages (author's transl)]

The acid phosphatase activity (acP) of developing skin window macrophages topically treated with 6-methyl-prednisolone (6-MP) has been evaluated by a quantitative-cytochemical technique (SMP 05/PDP 12-20). The following conclusions can be drawn: 1. The degranulation of migrated monocytes can be inhibited by local application of 0.1 to 10.0 micrograms of 6-MP per skin window lesion. 2. The increase of acP-activity associated with the physiologic transformation of monocytes into macrophages and the concomitant activation of the lysosomal system was clearly inhibited by 0.05 to 10.0 micrograms per skin window lesion. 3. 6-MP alters the morphology of the developing macrophages and alters the intracellular distribution of acP. 4. It can be concluded that 6-MP inhibits the development of monocytogenic macrophages. This effect is observed with amounts of 6-MP which correspond to those obtained by systemic application of 6-MP in usual dosages. The antiphlogistic effect of 6-MP probably is due to a considerable proportion by the direct influence on the inflammatory cells.