The Effect of Hydrocortisone on the Mast Cells in the Peritoneal Fluid and Mesentery of the Rat

Summary

Mast cells were studied in the mesentery and peritoneal fluid of rats after local (intraperitoneal) and general (subcutaneous) administration. Hydrocortisone did not disrupt or degranulate the mast cells. There were no significant changes in the number of mast cells in the mesentery although there was a tendency to lower values after a daily intraperitoneal injection for fourteen days. In the peritoneal fluid the mast cells were more resistant than the eosinophils and the mononuclears to the action of hydrocortisone and were relatively increased after daily intraperitoneal injections for two to three days and subcutaneous injections for fourteen days although their total number was unaffected. Their size and morphology was unaltered. After fourteen days intraperitoneal treatment they had disappeared from the peritoneal fluid, however. The eosinophil leucocytes were reduced in number after two to three days and had practically disappeared after fourteen days. Prednisolone produced changes similar to those seen after administration of hydrocortisone.