Search

Adrenergic activation is known to occur in sepsis and after major surgery or trauma. An elevated serum concentration of adrenaline is followed by lymphocytosis in peripheral blood even in splenectomized patients. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the redistribution of lymphocytes in the tissues during adrenaline infusion. Lymphocytes were isolated from 24 rabbits, labelled with indium-111-tropolone and reinjected into the rabbits. The next day the rabbits were anaesthetized. Eight rabbits received 3 micrograms of adrenaline i.v. followed by 0.2 micrograms/min, eight received 300 micrograms of adrenaline i.v. followed by 20 micrograms/min, while eight received a saline infusion and served as a control group. The activity of labelled cells was imaged with a gamma camera and computer before, during and after adrenaline infusion. The activity of the spleen decreased to 90% and 94% of initial values during low and high doses of adrenaline. The activity of the bone marrow decreased to 91% and 96%, respectively, while the activity of the heart/lung and the liver increased to 107% and 106% with the high dose of adrenaline. In peripheral blood the lymphocytes increased 10%. It is concluded that lymphocytes are redistributed from spleen and bone marrow to peripheral blood, lungs and liver during adrenaline infusion in this animal model. more...