Opposing effects of dexamethasone, again and sugammadex on functional innervation and constitutive secretion of IL-6 in in vitro innervated primary human muscle cells

Neuromuscular junction development is the key process required for successful neuromuscular trans-mission and functional innervation of skeletal muscle fibres. Various substances can influence theseprocesses, some of which are in common use in clinical practice. In the present study, the effects of thepotentially new therapeutic agent agrin were followed, along with the widely used glucocorticoid dexa-methasone. The in vitro experimental model used was functional innervation and constitutive interleukin6 (IL-6) secretion of human muscle cells. Additionally, the selective relaxant binding agent sugammadexand its possible interaction with dexamethasone were followed. Dexamethasone impaired functionalinnervation while agrin had opposing effects. Furthermore, based on interference with IL-6 secretion,we show potential (chemical) interactions between dexamethasone and sugammadex. The physiologi-cal effects of this interaction should be taken into consideration under clinical conditions where thesetwo drugs might be applied simultaneously.