Dexamethasone inhibits the production of thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4 by human alveolar and peritoneal macrophages in culture.

Cultured human alveolar and peritoneal macrophages have been shown to release thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4. The release was facilitated by stimulation of the macrophages with opsonized zymosan A (1.2 mg/ml). The release was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by incubation of the cells with dexamethasone (1 nmol/l to 1 mumol/l).