Polyclonal stimulation of lymphocytes induced by beta blockers in the mouse: influences of age, sex and strain.

The immune effects of acebutolol, a beta-blocker, are investigated in various strains of mice. In 6-12 weeks old C57Bl/6 female mice, an increase in the number of immunoglobulin secreting cells is observed only at the age of 9 weeks. At that age, such an effect is seen neither in C57Bl/6 male mice nor in female mice from 6 other strains including OF1 outbred mice. An increase in anti-trinitrophenol plaque forming cells is found in 9 week old C57Bl/6, Balb/c and CBA female mice.