Polyclonal activation of lymphocytes induced in the mouse by acebutolol, a beta blocking agent

Acebutolol, a beta blocking agent, was injected at a dose of 1 mg/day, every day for 6 months in C57B1/6 and OF1 mice. No antinuclear antibodies were induced but a transient induction of anti-single stranded DNA antibodies and an increase of IgM, IgA and IgG2a levels were observed during the first 3 weeks in some treated mice as compared to control mice. This effect was more pronounced in C57B1/6 than in OF1 mice and in the C57B1/6 mice, was more frequently observed in female than in male mice. It was further found by cellular studies done in C57B1/6 female mice, that daily i.p. or oral administration of Acebutolol induces a transient polyclonal stimulation of lymphocytes. It is concluded that certain beta blockers might possess some in vivo effects on the immune system.