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. 1968 Jan;47(1):107–117. doi: 10.1172/JCI105701

Studies on steroid fever

I. Production of leukocyte pyrogen in vitro by etiocholanolone

Phyllis Bodel 1, Morris Dillard 1
PMCID: PMC297152  PMID: 16695933

Abstract

When a serum-buffer solution of etiocholanolone is incubated with human blood leukocytes in vitro, a pyrogen is released. Like endogenous pyrogen of leukocyte origin, this pyrogen produces prompt monophasic fevers in rabbits, does not induce fever tolerance when given daily, and is inactivated by trypsin. In many respects, the characteristics of the in vitro reaction resemble experimental steroid-induced fever. For example, release of pyrogen varies directly with the concentration of steroid. 4-8 hr of contact between steroid and leukocyte is required for activation of the cell. Rabbit leukocytes are not activated by etiocholanolone. Finally, androsterone, the 5α-isomer of etiocholanolone, does not induce pyrogen release in vitro. These studies suggest that experimental steroid fever in man may be mediated by an endogenous pyrogen released from leukocytes.

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Selected References

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