title: Enhancement of IgE antibody formation in the rabbit by adrenergic antagonists.
abstract: The effects of adrenergic antagonists on the humoral immune response of rabbits to egg albumin was studied. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, when administered at a dosage of 20 mg/kg of body weight, enhanced both passive hemagglutinating and IgE (passive cutaneous anaphylaxis) antibody formation. Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-antagonist, at 0.4--40 mg/kg had a similar adjuvant effect. A marked delay in the immune response was noted with high dosages of phenoxybenzamine. Possible mechanisms of the adjuvant effects of these drugs are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D010047:Ovalbumin; D011433:Propranolol