title: Methionine-enkephalin alteration of mitogenic and mixed lymphocyte culture responses in zinc-deficient mice.
abstract: The effects of methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) on mitogenic and mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) proliferation of splenocytes from Zn-deficient, restricted and control mice were evaluated. The data from this experiment show that Met-Enk can suppress the responses of splenocyte from the 3 groups to concanavalin A (Con A), but less inhibition was observed in the Zn-deficient group. Met-Enk can also enhance the responses to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and decrease the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in all groups. Alteration of proliferative responses to Con A and PWM were reversible in the presence of naloxone 10 mumol/L indicating that the effect of Met-Enk on cellular proliferation was mediated by the opioid receptor. In the proliferation of MLC, the response of lymphocytes from Zn-deficient mice was increased in the absence of Met-Enk and Met-Enk can suppress this increased response. It is therefore concluded that Met-Enk can modify the pattern of mitogenic responses and the alteration in Con A and MLC responses can be influenced by zinc deficiency.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Fraker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D008934:Mitogens; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D015032:Zinc