Restorative effects of nandrolone decanoate on the mononuclear phagocyte system in tumor-bearing mice.

The effects of nandrolone decanoate on the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) were examined in normal or tumor-bearing mice. Bactericidal activity against Listeria monocytogenes, carbon clearance test and leukocyte accumulation into the site of inflammation were depressed when viable cells of sarcoma-180 were inoculated subcutaneously into ddY mice 24hr before the assays. Pretreatment with nandrolone decanoate prevented such depression in tumor-bearing mice and increased MPS activities of normal or tumor-bearing mice above the level of non-treated normal mice. Nandrolone decanoate may be useful for the augmentation of antimicrobial activity in tumor-bearing hosts.