engleski

Effect of repeated stress and the treatment with ergot-alkaloid dihydroergosine on the immune response of rats

Exposure to repeated stress (restraint, forced swimming, electroconvulsions) in the course of 4 successive days after immunization caused non-significant stimulation of the humoral immune response (PFC count) and suppressed the delayed hypersensitivity reaction (footpad swelling) of female Wistar rats. There was no correlation between alterations of the PFC immune response and corticosterone levels in plasma at the time of assay. The effects of dihydroergosine resembled those of stress. The combination of dihydroergosine and stress apparently reinforced their mutual suppressive effect on delayed hypersensitivity, but there was no synergistic increase in the PFC count.

dihydroergosine, repeated stress, immune response, plasma corticosterone, rats

nije evidentirano