Preliminary studies on phagocytosis of cultured mouse peritoneal macrophage exposed to anti-inflammatory agents

The effect of anti-inflammatory agents, indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid, and dexamethasone on phagocytosis of cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages was studied. Peritoneal macrophages, obtained from CBA/N mice were cultivated on plastic dishes (35mm in diameter) with Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Phagocytosis, as determined by uptake of Latex particles into the macrophages were suppressed by treatment with indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid or dexamethasone. The level of suppression by dexamethasone was greater than by indomethacine or acetylsalicylic acid. The similar inhibition of phagocytosis by these agents was observed with elicited macrophages, obtained from the mice treated with 3% thioglycollate medium.