Central effects of cromoglycate sodium salt in rats treated with lipopolysaccharide

In 24-h water- and food-deprived rats, we have evaluated the effects of cro moglycate sodium salt, an inhibitor of the mast cell degranulation with ant i-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizating activity, on the central effects induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Intraperitoneal (i.p. ) injection of LPS (0.25, 0.50 and 1 mg/kg) induced a dose-dependent inhibi tion of water and food intake, fever, reduction in locomotor activity as we ll as increased anxiety levels. All these LPS effects were antagonized by a prior intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of cromoglycate sodium sa lt (100, 150 and 200 mu g/rat). Our findings suggest that peripheral LPS ad ministration may activate brain mast cells and indicate an involvement of t hese cells in brain pathophysiology. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.