Reversal of stroke induced lymphocytopenia by levodopa/benserazide treatment.

• Evidences exist that dopamine is involved in T-cell homeostasis. Here, we investigated if daily treatment with levodopa (20mg/kg)/benserazide (15mg/kg) regulates the number of T-cells in the blood of Sprague Dawley rats subjected to transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (tMCAO). T-cells and associated inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in the blood one week after tMCAO. Treatment with levodopa/benserazide completely recovered T-helper cell depletion in animals subjected to tMCAO whereas T-cell associated cytokines remained unaffected after stroke, however, cytokines were downregulated in levodopa treated sham operated animals. Together, we demonstrate that dopamine has beneficial effects on poststroke immunodepression.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)