Abstract
The effects of ethanol and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) on productions of cytolytic factors granzyme B, perforin and IFN-gamma in splenic rat NK cells were determined. Intracranial administration of beta-EP increased protein and mRNA levels of cytolytic factors in NK cells. Chronic ethanol feeding reduced the basal and beta-EP-induced levels of cytolytic factors in NK cells. In vitro treatment of beta-EP on NK cells increased the levels of perforin, granzyme B and IFN-gamma and their mRNA transcripts, whereas ethanol pre-treatment prevented beta-EP effects on cytolytic factors in these cells. These results suggest that beta-EP and ethanol interact to regulate NK cell functions.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Drug Synergism
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Ethanol / pharmacology*
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Granzymes
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Injections
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Interferon-gamma / genetics
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Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
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Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
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Male
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Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
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Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
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Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / physiology
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Perforin
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Perfusion
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Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred F344
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Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
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Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
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Spleen / cytology
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Spleen / metabolism*
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beta-Endorphin / pharmacology*
Substances
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Perforin
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Ethanol
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beta-Endorphin
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Interferon-gamma
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Granzymes
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Gzmb protein, rat
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Serine Endopeptidases