Pavlovian conditioning of LPS-induced responses: effects on corticosterone, splenic NE, and IL-2 production

Physiol Behav. 1996 Jun;59(6):1103-9. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(95)02171-x.

Abstract

The present study used a taste aversion paradigm to condition lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced suppression of splenic lymphocyte interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, with concurrent measurement of corticosterone production and splenic norepinephrine (NE) content). In training, two groups of rats received saccharin and IP LPS in a paired (P) manner and a third group in a specifically unpaired (U) manner. In the test, the unpaired group (group U) and one of the paired (group P) groups were re-exposed (R) to the cue and the other not (NR). An additional group controlled for the effects of cues (conditional stimulus) and fluid deprivation (negative control; NC). A robust taste aversion in the P-R group was accompanied by suppression of IL-2 production, reduced splenic NE content, and elevated corticosterone production, relative to combined controls (i.e., groups U-R, P-NR, and NC). The conditioned modulation of IL-2 secretion, along with the concomitant alteration of adrenocortical and sympathetic mediators, supports the involvement of bidirectional central nervous-immune system pathways in this paradigm.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conditioning, Classical / physiology*
  • Corticosterone / biosynthesis*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drinking Behavior / drug effects
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Norepinephrine / biosynthesis*
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Saccharin / pharmacology
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / metabolism*
  • Sweetening Agents / pharmacology
  • Taste / drug effects

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Sweetening Agents
  • Saccharin
  • Corticosterone
  • Norepinephrine