Dihydroergocryptine protects from acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the rat

Funct Neurol. 1993 May-Jun;8(3):183-8.

Abstract

The effect of dihydroergocryptine, a natural alkaloid derivative which exhibits D2 dopaminomimetic properties, has been studied in Lewis female rats with experimentally induced allergic encephalomyelitis. A chronic treatment with dihydroergocryptine started two days before immunization, induced a dramatic reduction of prolactin levels accompanied by a marked amelioration of neurological signs. In addition, the proliferative activity of splenic lymphocytes induced by the mitogen Concanavalin-A (Con-A) was reduced in dihydroergocryptine-treated animals. It is suggested that this effect is related to the ability of dihydroergocryptine to lower prolactin concentrations or also, partially, to a neuroprotective action of this drug.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects
  • Central Nervous System / immunology
  • Central Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Dihydroergotoxine / pharmacology*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Neurologic Examination / drug effects
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew

Substances

  • Dihydroergotoxine
  • Prolactin