Evidence that behavioral depression does not influence airway cell influx in allergic rats

Tins study was designated to evaluate the influence of behavioral depressio n on the airway leukocyte recruitment in allergic animals. To achieve this, total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid of ovalb umin (OVA)-sensitized and depressed rats was evaluated. Inescapable electri c footshock, applied on day 0, 7 and 13 after OVA sensitization, was used a s a model to induce depression. In both nondepressed and depressed groups, the number of total and differential cells (eosinophils and mononuclear cel ls) in BAL fluid was significantly larger in sensitized compared with non-s ensitized animals. However, no statistical differences were found between t hese groups with respect to the number of total and differential leukocytes , irrespective of the day inescapable shock was applied. Thus, behavioral d epression does not influence the pattern of cell infiltration into the airw ays of allergen-induced airway inflammation.