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Imaging Leukocyte Adhesion to the Vascular Endothelium at High Intraluminal Pressure
Published on: August 23, 2011
Propranolol affects stress-induced leukocytosis and cellular adhesion molecule expression
E C Kühlwein1, M R Irwin, M G Ziegler
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|February 2, 2002
Summary
Propranolol, a beta-blocker, alters circulating leukocyte numbers during stress. It blunts psychological stress effects on lymphocytes but enhances exercise-induced increases, impacting adrenergic regulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Beta-adrenergic antagonists like propranolol are widely used.
- Their effects on leukocyte dynamics during psychological and physical stress are not fully understood.
- Leukocyte trafficking and activation are critical in stress response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate propranolol's impact on circulating leukocyte numbers and cellular adhesion molecule density.
- To examine stress-induced changes in leukocyte profiles under propranolol treatment.
- To differentiate effects on psychological versus physical stress.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, crossover study design.
- 45 healthy volunteers underwent psychological stress (public speaking).
- 21 subjects performed physical stress (bicycle exercise) after placebo or propranolol (100 mg/day for 5 days).
- Flow cytometry assessed leukocyte subsets and adhesion molecule expression (CD62L, CD54, CD11a).
Main Results:
- Propranolol modestly elevated CD62L+ T-lymphocytes.
- Propranolol blunted psychological stress-induced increases in naive T-helper and T-cytotoxic lymphocytes.
- Exercise-induced leukocyte increases were enhanced by propranolol.
- Propranolol had a modest effect on stress-induced alterations in adhesion molecule density.
Conclusions:
- Propranolol interferes with adrenergic regulation of circulating leukocytes.
- It blunts psychological stress effects but enhances exercise effects on leukocyte numbers.
- The drug has a lesser impact on stress-induced cell activation markers (adhesion molecules).
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