Transient suppression of a secondary humoral response in rats is evoked by lithium-pilocarpine-induced limbic seizures.
Several experiments were designed to evaluate a secondary humoral response following limbic seizures. After baseline antigen binding capacity (ABC) had been determined for the primary response, a second subcutaneous injection of the antigen (human serum albumin) was accompanied by an injection of either lithium (3 mEq/kg)-pilocarpine (30 mg/kg) or one of two comparator treatments: metrazol (30 mg/kg) or cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg); other rats served as drug controls. Only the groups that received the lithium-pilocarpine (status epilepticus) or cyclophosphamide (no seizure) displayed significant immunosuppression after 5 but not 10 days. The results support the hypothesis that seizure activity within the amygdaloid-hippocampal complex modulates immunocompetence through corticotropin mechanisms.
Falter
H
H
Department of Chemistry, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Persinger
M A
MA
Chrétien
R
R
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008032:Limbic System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008094:Lithium; D008297:Male; D010862:Pilocarpine; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000276:immunology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D012709:Serum Albumin; D010862:Pilocarpine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D008094:Lithium