Effects of Steroid Hormones on the Cytotoxic Activity of Tumor Necrosis Factor

抄録

The effects of steroid hormones on the cytotoxic activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were examined. Dexamethasone and hydrocortisone inhibited the cytotoxic action of TNF toward murine L 929 cells. Aldosterone was less active, and androsterone and testosterone had no effect. These results suggested that the protective effect was rather specific for glucocorticoids. Moreover, prolonged treatment with TNF and glucocorticoids resulted in the enhancement of cell growth. These results suggested that the mechanisms of the growth factor activity and the cytotoxic action of TNF were distinguishable from each other.