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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
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Effect of electroconvulsions on leucocyte counts

B P Jaju1, A K Srivastava, A K Agarwal

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut, India.

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
|April 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Acute electroconvulsions (EC) cause a significant increase in white blood cells, specifically polymorphonuclear cells, in rabbits. This response, linked to adrenaline, was blocked by propranolol and showed no tolerance with repeated EC challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acute electroconvulsions (EC) are known to induce physiological stress responses.
  • Leukocyte counts and their differential patterns can be affected by stress and hormonal changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hematological effects of acute electroconvulsions (EC) in rabbits.
  • To explore the role of adrenaline and beta-adrenergic pathways in EC-induced leukocyte changes.
  • To determine if tolerance develops to the hematological effects of repeated EC.

Main Methods:

  • Rabbits were subjected to acute electroconvulsions (EC).
  • Leukocyte counts and differentials were analyzed.
  • The effect of propranolol, an adrenaline blocker, was assessed.
  • Repeated daily EC challenges and exogenous adrenaline administration were employed.

Main Results:

  • Acute EC induced polymorphonuclear leucocytosis and relative lymphopenia.
  • The EC-induced leukocyte response was blocked by propranolol.
  • No tolerance to the EC-induced leukocyte response was observed with daily challenges.
  • Repeated EC or exogenous adrenaline increased total leukocytes and polymorphs while decreasing lymphocytes.

Conclusions:

  • EC-induced leukocytosis is mediated by an adrenaline-dependent mechanism.
  • The hematopoietic system may become sensitized to adrenaline, leading to increased polymorph release from bone marrow with repeated exposure.

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