Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation
Original Paper
Comparative Effect of the Calcium Antagonist Verapamil and the Synthetic Steroids Gestrinone and Danazol on Human Monocyte Phagocytosis in vitroMagri B. · Viganò P. · Rossi G. · Somigliana E. · Gaffuri B. · Vignali M.2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinica ‘L. Mangiagalli’ University of Milano, Italy
Keywords: MonocytesVerapamilDanazolGestrinone |
|
Log in to MyKarger to check if you already have access to this content.
KAB
Buy a Karger Article Bundle (KAB) and profit from a discount!
If you would like to redeem your KAB credit, please log in.
Save over 20% compared to the individual article price.
Article / Publication Details
Received: December 21, 1995
Accepted: April 29, 1996
Published online: February 26, 2010
Issue release date: 1997
Number of Print Pages: 5
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0378-7346 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-002X (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/GOI
Abstract
Recent evidence suggested that periovulatory treatment with an immunomodulatory agent such as verapamil might be an effective alternative to conventional treatment for endometriosis ssociated subfertility. In particular, it has been reported that the drug might reduce the accentuated macrophage peritoneal activation demonstrated in patients with endometriosis. In this study, we compared the effect of the calcium antagonist verapamil with those of gestrinone, danazol and testosterone on human monocyte phagocytosis in an attempt to evaluate any significant differences in their ability to influence a parameter of cell inflammatory activation. Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from 37 healthy women. Monocyte function was determined by phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres after an overnight incubation in the presence or absence of the various agents. This study indicates that verapamil at the pharmacological concentration of 0.4 µg/ml, the systemic level in patients taking 40-80 mg/8 h p.o., significantly inhibits monocyte function. A lower immunosuppressive but still significant effect was achieved in this assay system with gestrinone at a concentration of 3 × 10-8M). The pharmacological concentration of danazol (10-6M) and the physiologic concentration of testosterone (10-8M) did not significantly affect this immunologic test system. These results provide evidence that verapamil is able to exert a slightly greater immunosuppressive effect than steroidal drugs on monocyte phagocytosis. However, due to the small differences observed, further studies on the biological mechanism of the drug seem to be necessary to completely elucidate its potential role in endometriosis-associated subfertility.
© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
Related Articles:
Article / Publication Details
Received: December 21, 1995
Accepted: April 29, 1996
Published online: February 26, 2010
Issue release date: 1997
Number of Print Pages: 5
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0378-7346 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-002X (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/GOI
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
Get Permission
PubMed ID
