In Vitro Effect of Glucocoriticoid on Splenic Macrophage Functions in Wall Lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis

Glucocorticoids (GC) are usually considered to be immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory. However, recent studies in mammals have demonstrated the differential effects of GC on non-specific host-defense mechanism, depending on dose or duration of treatment. Although the influence of GC on specific immunity has been studied in a number of reptilian species, no attempt is made to understand the role of GC in modulation of non-specific immune responses. In view of this, the present study is designed to observe in vitro dose and time-related effects of glucocorticoid, hydrocortisone (HC) on phagocytosis and nitrite production by LPSinduced splenic macrophages (mq) in wall lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis.