EVIDENCE FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF CATECHOLAMINES IN THE 2-DG-INDUCED IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS IN SPLEEN

The role of catecholamines in immune changes associated with the metab olic stress of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) was examined in this study. Ma le Lewis rats were pretreated with the nonselective beta-adrenergic re ceptor antagonist nadolol (0-0.5 mg/kg) and then received either a sal ine or 2-DG (500 mg/kg) injection. Nadolol attenuated the 2-DG-induced suppression of splenic T-cell mitogenic response and interferon-gamma production and increased nitric oxide production by macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, nadolol did not attenuate the 2-DG- induced changes in immune parameters in peripheral blood leukocytes. T hese results suggest that the peripheral release of catecholamines is responsible for 2-DG induced splenic immune alterations, whereas the p eripheral release of catecholamine is not responsible for 2-DG-induced blood immune alterations. Furthermore, the neuroendocrine mechanisms responsible for splenic immune changes induced by the metabolic stress of 2-DG administration were the same as those involved in immune chan ges induced by physical and psychological stress. Thus, this study sug gests that common neuroendocrine pathways exist for several types of s tress-induced immunomodulations. (C) 1997 Academic Press.