Immunosuppressive drugs dexamethasone

Both lymphotactin and fractalkine are expressed in an activation-dependent manner. The expression of lymphotactin is upregulated by phorbol ester and concanavalin 1 in T-cells isolated from peripheral blood (Middel et al., 2001). It can be inhibited by anti-inflammatory steroid dexamethasone or immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine A and FK506 (Middel et al., 2001). These agents also regulate the expression of lymphotactin receptor XCRl on T-cells in a manner similar to the regulation of lymphotactin expression. The nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NF-AT) family s transcription factors are likely to be involved in the activation-induced expression and cyclosporine A-dependent inhibition of lymphotactin (Yoshida et al., 1999). 

Cortisol, the most important g/ucocorticoid, is synthesized by the adrenal cortex, it is involved in regulating protein and carbohydrate metabolism by promoting protein degradation and the conversion of amino acids into glucose. As a result, the blood glucose level rises (see p. 152). Synthetic glucocorticoids (e.g., dexamethasone) are used in drugs due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. 

The antibacterial activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes is based on the production of superoxide anions and H2O2 in the respiratory burst. Combinations of an antibacterial agent and an anti-inflammatory drug are commonly used in immunosuppressed patients whose respiratory burst of poljmiorphonuclear leukocytes is impaired. An in vitro study has shown that the combination of a glucocorticoid (dexamethasone, methylpredniso-lone, betamethasone, hydrocortisone) with ofloxacin 10 mg/ml neutralizes the inhibitory effect of the former on the respiratory burst (15). 

Other therapeutic drug classes currently quantified by LC—MS in clinical laboratories include antiepileptic medications (levetiracetam [23]), immunosuppressive/antivirals (leflunomide [24]), and synthetic steroids (prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, and others [25]). 

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