Seven-day variable-stress regime alters cortical beta-adrenoceptor binding and immunologic responses: reversal by imipramine.
Rats were submitted daily to a variable stressor for 1 week with or without concurrent imipramine (IMI) administration. One day after the last injection or stressful event, binding of cortical beta-adrenoceptors was determined in all experimental groups. Another group of chronically stressed animals with or without concurrent IMI administration were sacrificed 24 h following the last stress or injection treatment, and several immunologic parameters were evaluated. Chronically stressed rats showed an enhanced number of cortical beta-adrenergic sites without changes in their affinity. This effect was not present following concurrent administration with the antidepressant. In addition, a decreased percentage of T lymphocytes and a reduced delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction was also observed in stressed animals. Both responses were no longer evident when stressed rats were previously administered IMI. A possible link between behavioral, neurochemical, and immunologic alterations due to the stress regime is discussed.
Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
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D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004597:Electroshock; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007099:Imipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007700:Kinetics; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D007099:Imipramine