Effects of glyburide-cyclosporin A interaction on interleukin-2 productionin rats

The effects of simultaneous administrations of Cyclosporin A (CsA) and Glyb uride on the immune system of rats has been evaluated in terms of Interleuk in-2 (IL-2) production by Concanavalin A (ConA) stimulated splenocytes and exogenous IL-2 binding capacity. The inhibitory effect of Cyclosporin A on IL-2 production of lymphoid cells is well known. Spleen cells from rats receiving CsA had reduced levels of IL-2 when compar ed to untreated controls or rats receiving Glyburide only. Splenocytes from rats receiving both drugs had reduced levels of IL-2 when they were sacrificed 24 hours after one or three CsA administrations; inste ad when the animals were sacrificed 6 days after three CsA administrations, their ability of producing IL-2 is increased as well as increasing exogeno us IL-2 binding capacity. These findings let us hypothesize that when there are lower concentrations of CsA in lymphocytes there is an increase of cellular metabolism induced b y Glyburide that leads to an increase in IL-2 secretion and in IL-2 recepto r expression on cellular surface restoring these levels to normal or slight ly above normal levels.