Effects of buspirone on the immune response to stress in mice

Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of buspirone, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A (5-HT1A) anxiolytic, on the immune system of mice exposed to a chronic auditory stressor. Daily injection with 0.5 and 1 mg/kg (intraperitoneally) of buspirone resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the stress-induced suppression of the natural killer (NK) cell activity and the in vitro and in vivo activity of phagocytosis. Higher doses of buspirone (2.0 mg/kg) showed less robust immunoenhancing effects in stressed mice, and caused a significant suppression of these immune parameters in unstressed mice.

Effects of alprazolam on cellular immune response to surgical stress in mice

Mice exposed to surgical stress induced by laparotomy and treated with chronic alprazolam (0.5-2 mg/kg) showed a dose-dependent reduction in stress-induced suppression of the natural killer (NK) cell activity. These immunoenhancing effects of alprazolam were more intense when it administered before the surgery was performed.

Effects of alprazolam on influenza virus infection in stressed mice

The review of the literature shows that stress can adversely affect influenza A virus infection. In this report, we study the effects of chronic alprazolam (1 mg/kg/day), a central benzodiazepine agonist anxiolytic, on the influenza A (PR-8/34) virus specific immune injury in mice exposed to a chronic auditory stressor. Treatment with alprazolam resulted in a significant reduction of stress-induced increase of virus titters and pulmonary vascular permeability. A correlation with the lethality of mice was also observed.

Effects of midazolam on T-cell immunosuppressive response to surgical stress in mice

Mice submitted to surgical stress induced by laparotomy and treated with chronic midazolam (1 mg/kg) showed a reduction in stress-induced suppression of thymus and spleen cellularity and in peripheral lymphocyte population. The blastogenic response of spleen lymphoid cells was also assessed and midazolam was found to partially attenuate the suppressive effect of surgery.

Effects of alprazolam on the development of MTV-induced mammary tumors in female mice under stress

Female C3H/He mice carrying the mammary tumor virus (MTV) were monitored for mammary tumor incidence and latent periods while subjected to a daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of placebo or alprazolam (1 mg/kg per day). Although all of the mice were potential candidates for MTV-induced breast cancer, those injected with alprazolam were partially protected against adverse effects of stress induced by the daily administration of placebo.

Effects of amphetamine on the activity of phagocytosis in mice

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the influences of chronic treatment with amphetamine (0.4 mg/kg/day) on the activity of phagocytosis in mice. Results show a decrease of the in vitro and in vivo phagocytosis measured by using the zymosan-particle uptake method and the carbon clearance test, respectively.

Effects of amphetamine on the development of MTV-induced mammary tumors in female mice

Female C3H/He mice carrying the mammary tumor virus (MTV) were monitored for mammary tumor incidence and latent periods while submitted to a daily subcutaneous injection with amphetamine (0,4 mg/kg/day). Results show that amphetamine caused an increase in incidence and a decrease in latency of tumors compared with placebo. There was also appreciated a correlation with the lethality of mice.

Effects of amphetamine on T-cell immune response in mice

Mice chronically injected with amphetamine (0.4 mg/kg/day) showed a reduction in thymus and spleen cellularity, and in peripheral T lymphocyte population. The blastogenic response of spleen lymphoid cells was assessed and amphetamine was found to inhibit T-cell proliferation. Amphetamine also reduced the capacity of mice to the development and passive transfer of immunity to Listeria monocytogenes.