Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the role of adrenergic receptors in AMPH-induced changes in leukocyte populations in rats differing in social position.

Methods: In rats divided on the basis of the social interactions tests into dominants (D) and submissives (S) the effects of the acute injection of AMPH (in a dose of 1 mg/kg) preceded by administration of α-adrenergic receptors antagonist – phentolamine (PHEN; 5 mg/kg), β-adrenergic receptors antagonist – propranolol (PROP; 5 mg/kg) or the combined administration of PHEN and PROP on leukocytes populations in the peripheral blood were evaluated.

Main results: Acute AMPH injection tended to cause leukopenia, which reached the statistical significance under αadrenergic blockade (and combined blockade of α and β-adrenergic receptors). AMPH lead to lymphopenia, which was stronger in S rats. This effect was not dependent on adrenergic receptors. AMPH-induced granulocytosis as well as intergroup differences in granulocytosis (the effect stronger in S rats) depended on α-adrenergic receptors. AMPH evoked monocytosis only in S rats. This effect depended on β-adrenergic receptors.

Conclusions: Administration of AMPH can evoke lymphopenia, granulocytosis and monocytosis, however S rats show stronger reactivity of examined parameters of the immune system to AMPH in comparison to D rats. It seems that AMPH-induced changes in leukocyte populations, as well as their intergroup differences are partially dependent on adrenergic receptors.