title: Interleukin-2 enhances scopolamine-induced amnesia and hyperactivity in the mouse.
abstract: We studied the effects of human recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) on scopolamine-induced amnesia for a passive avoidance response and on scopolamine-induced hyperactivity, in the mouse. The pre-training intraperitoneal administration of the cytokine significantly enhanced the amnesic effect of scopolamine (1.0 mg kg-1 i.p.). Similar effects were observed after repeated administration (2,500 IU/mouse i.p. for 10 days) of the cytokine. In this condition, the treatment with the pro-cholinergic drug acetylcarnitine completely blocked the pro-amnesic effect of IL-2. The cytokine did not affect plasma glucose concentrations, nor induced any change in footshock sensitivity. Intraperitoneal injection of IL-2 significantly enhanced the scopolamine-induced hyperactivity, whereas the cytokine alone was ineffective in modifying locomotor activity. Our results suggest an involvement of the cholinergic system in the neuromodulatory action of IL-2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Panerai
mesh_terms: D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D012601:Scopolamine