Deflazacort (MDL 458) is a glucocorticoid served as an immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory. It can be used to treat autoimmune diseases due to inhibiting the immune system. It can also be acted in the therapy of some types of Ys. Deflazacort can help to prevent and to treat the rejection of transplanted organs.

Deflazacort results in a significant and equal decrease of thymus weight, indicating a marked reduction in total immunogenic tissue in rats. [1] Deflazacort reduces thymus weight and Daily weight gain in rats. Deflazacort lowers liver IFG-I and GHR mRNA in rats. [2] Deflazacort (DFC) is a heterocyclic glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory activity but with decreased side effects. Deflazacort and [3H]dexamethasone (DEX) similarly induce in vivo ornithine decarboxylase activity in hippocampus and liver, although body weight loss after chronic treatment is significantly less for DFC. [3] Deflazacort induces dose-dependent decreases in osteocalcin (OC) plasma production rate (PPR). Deflazacort and prednisolone increase both postabsorptive plasma glucose and plasma calcium levels in sheep, but there are no significant differences between their effects. [4] Deflazacort, especially combined with L-arginine, spares quadriceps muscle from injury-induced regeneration (myf5 expression) compared with placebo treatment, despite an increase in membrane permeability immediately after exercise. Deflazacort alone prevents the typical progressive loss of function (measured as voluntary distance run over 24 hours) that is observed 3 months later in placebo-treated mice. [5] Deflazacort causes a less significant alteration in the pattern of GH secretion and does not negatively affect the overall amount of GH secreted. [6]