Blood eosinophil leucocyte and eosinophil cationic protein. In vivo study of the influence of beta-2-adrenergic drugs and steroid medication.

The in vivo effect of beta-2-adrenergic stimulating and blocking drugs and of corticosteroid medication on blood eosinophils and serum eosinophil cationic protein (S-ECP) has been studied. The beta-2-adrenergic drugs, salbutamol and terbutaline, had an eosinopenic effect. They were able to decrease S-ECP concentration, which administration of steroid was not, indicating that only the adrenergic stimulators affect leucocyte secretion. Care must be taken in interpretation of blood eosinophil count and S-ECP concentration, and the actual medical treatment must be known.