Abstract
We investigated the correlation between restraint stress-induced alteration of antibody responses and adrenal hormones. Adrenalectomy (Adx) blocked both the suppression of antibody response against T cell-dependent (TD) antigen and the enhancement of that against T cell-independent (TI) antigen in stressed mice. Adx also inhibited the atrophy of both thymus and spleen caused by restraint. Pre-treatment of metyrapone, an inhibitor of adrenocortical steroid biosynthesis, had an effect that was similar to, but far weaker than that of Adx on stressed mice. The pre-administration of phenoxybenzamine, an α-adrenergic blocking agent, to mice prevented both the inhibition of antibody response to TD antigen and the decrease in spleen cell number of restrained mice. A similar effect was observed in mice pre-treated with 6-hydroxydopamine, an adrenergic neuron degenerating agent. However, no effects of these two agents were observed on the enhancement of antibody response to TI antigen. The suppressive effect of the antibody response to TD antigen was augmented by the pre-administration of propranolol, a β-adrenergic blocking agent. These results suggest that the suppression of the function of T cells in restrained mice are attributed to the released adrenocortical and adrenal medullary hormones and activated sympathetic nervous system and that the enhancement of B cell function is due to the adrenocortical hormones.
