Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, beta-adrenergic receptors and interferon gamma-secreting cells in beta-adrenergic agonist-treated rats.

Treatment with the beta 2-adrenergic agonist terbutaline or the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol suppresses experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, decreases the number of IFN gamma-producing splenic cells, and decreases the number of beta-adrenergic receptors on splenic lymphocytes in Lewis rats. The effects of terbutaline are greater when the drug is given from the day of immunization through the acute phase of the illness or from day 15 postimmunization until recovery, than when given for the first 12 days after immunization.