Role of Beta Blockers on Adrenaline Induced Leukocytosis in Rabbits

Background: Plasma Leukocytosis is known to occur in a variety of clinical conditions viz. infections, inflammations and collagen disorders. Apart from these many physiological factors like heat, solar radiation and high altitude also causes leukocytosis. It has been reported that even corticosteroids can cause leucocytosis which is usually polY morphonuclear leucocytosis. Adrenaline administered by various routes like I/M, I/V and S/C is also known to cause a rise in blood leukocytes. It has been reported that even corticosteroids can cause leukocytosis, which is usually polymorphonuclear leukocytosis. Since catecholamines have been implicated in the release of polymorphs from bone marrow into blood in the glucocorticoids induced leukocytosis, this could be a likely mechanism. If so then adrenergic receptors may be mediating this release. Attempt will be made to characterize these adrenergic receptors by studying the effect of some beta blockers on adrenaline induced Leukocytosis. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in conscious albino rabbit. The rabbits were divided into 3 groups with 6 rabbits in each group beta blockers used in the study were propranolol (0.5mg/kg) and atenolol (0.5mg/kg). Cell counts before drug administration served as control values. Adrenaline was used in the dose of 200microgram/kg. Result: Group1- significant rise in total leukocytes count in the form of 2 peaks, first occurring at 1hr with 21.85% rise and 2nd at 4hr with 41.89 % rise, at 2hr rise was not significant. At 24hr the counts came back to normal values Group2- significant fall in TLC at 1hr +1.2% and at 4hr +5% while at 2hr +2.4%. The fall in TLC at 24hr was insignificant.Group3- significant fall in TLC at 1hr +1.5% and at 4hr +10.2% while at 2hr +7.94%. The fall in TLC at 24hr was insignificant. Conclusion: The beta-blockers Propranolol and Atenolol successfully blocked the rise in blood leukocyte counts induced by Adrenaline which shows that Adrenaline induced leukocytosis occurs through the activation of beta-adrenoreceptors.

Acute cysticercal meningitis--missed diagnosis.

Neurocysticercosis is the commonest CNS parasitic disease worldwide but cysticercal meningoencephalitis is relatively rare, especially in Indian patients. We herein report a girl with cysticercal meningitis that was initially not suspected and later diagnosed on the basis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) eosinophilia. The need for CSF examination with wright-giemsa staining to avoid missing CSF eosinophilia is discussed.