title: Beta-endorphin modulation of interferon-gamma, perforin and granzyme B levels in splenic NK cells: effects of ethanol.
abstract: The effects of ethanol and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) on productions of cytolytic factors granzyme B, perforin and IFN-gamma in splenic rat NK cells were determined. Intracranial administration of beta-EP increased protein and mRNA levels of cytolytic factors in NK cells. Chronic ethanol feeding reduced the basal and beta-EP-induced levels of cytolytic factors in NK cells. In vitro treatment of beta-EP on NK cells increased the levels of perforin, granzyme B and IFN-gamma and their mRNA transcripts, whereas ethanol pre-treatment prevented beta-EP effects on cytolytic factors in these cells. These results suggest that beta-EP and ethanol interact to regulate NK cell functions.
authors: Endocrine Program, Biomedical Division of the Center of Alcohol Studies and Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 84 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525, USA.
authors: Madhavi
authors: M
authors: Dokur
authors: Cui Ping
authors: CP
authors: Chen
authors: Juan P
authors: JP
authors: Advis
authors: Dipak K
authors: DK
authors: Sarkar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053804:Granzymes; D007267:Injections; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D054353:Perforin; D010477:Perfusion; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054353:Perforin; D000431:Ethanol; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D053804:Granzymes; C509215:Gzmb protein, rat; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases