Effect of adrenergic agents on hematopoiesis after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation in mice

Abstract

We show that adrenergic agents modulate hematopoietic reconstitution after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in mice. Chemical sympathectomy by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) significantly increased the number of peripheral blood leukocytes after syngeneic BMT. The α1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin mimicked and extended the effect of 6-OHDA, with an additional rapid and significant increase of platelets, marrow granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units, and nucleated spleen cells. Differential leukocyte counts and spleen histology from prazosin-treated mice confirmed that myelopoiesis was greatly enhanced and accelerated. In contrast, the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol abolished the prazosin-induced increase of platelets. The detailed mechanisms by which prazosin exerts these interesting effects remain to be elucidated. © 1992 by The American Society of Hematology.