Effect of Some Aromatic Hydroxy Compounds on the Phagocytic Activity of the Reticulo-Endothelial System

Abstract

IT has been reported previously that œstrogens stimulate the reticulo-endothelial macrophages in the spleen, liver and lymph nodes and lead to mobilization of the macrophages into ths blood-stream and thus probably to an increase in the general defence of the body against infection and perhaps new growths ; and that these results suggested the desirability of finding a substance which possesses a still more powerful stimulating effect on the reticulo-endothelial system without the ill effects of œstrogens¹. Since then, the effects of various stilbenes, steroids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, antibiotics and sulphon-amides on the phagocytic activity of the reticulo-endothelial system have been investigated and reported^2–6. So far, the strongest stimulants of phagocytic activity are also strongly œstrogenie and it would appear that the configuration of the molecule which confers œstrogenic activity is also essential for reticulo-endothelial stimulation. Many other compounds are therefore being examined in the hope that the results may throw more light on the nature of the stimulative factor.