Altered lymphocyte proliferation of immunized rats after neurological manipulation with capsaicin.

The neurotoxic agent capsaicin was used for depletion of the content of neuropeptides in c-fibers of the sensory nerve system in rats. The effect of the capsaicin treatment on the immune response was assessed as lymphocyte proliferation of spleen cells, stimulated with Con A. Treatment of 2 day old rat pups and adult rats did not alter the lymphocyte proliferative response to Con A in nonimmunized rats. Spleen cells from capsaicin-treated and subcutaneously immunized rats showed a decreased proliferation response to Con A. Capsaicin treatment of aerosol immunized rats did not affect the proliferation level of the spleen cells to the same extent. The results indicate that abolishment of the content of neuropeptides in the c-fibers of sensory nerves with capsaicin, affects the immune response.