Peripheral effects of methionine-enkephalin on inflammatory reactions and behavior in the rat.

Methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) induces notable alterations in immune and central nervous system functions. The present study was conducted in order to compare peripheral and central effects of Met-Enk on nonspecific immunity, open field behavior and pain perception in the rat. The results showed that 0.2 mg/kg of Met-Enk given intraperitoneally (i.p.) increased concanavalin A (Con-A)-induced paw edema and enhanced basal and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated H(2)O(2) production of peritoneal macrophages. Met-Enk-induced immunopotentiation was antagonized by anti-Met-Enk antibodies (anti-Met-Enk-Ig) and quaternary naltrexone (qNtx). Met-Enk injected i.p. produced an increase of horizontal and vertical locomotor activity in the open field that was reversed by i. p. administration of anti-Met-Enk-Ig and qNtx. The dose of 0.2 mg/kg of Met-Enk applied i.p. did not affect the number of writhes in the test of analgesia. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Met-Enk, given in a dose that was previously shown to be immunostimulatory, enhanced only basal H(2)O(2) production of peritoneal macrophages, and anti-Met-Enk-Ig antagonized this effect. Besides, i.c.v. treatment with anti-Met-Enk-Ig increased and decreased H(2)O(2) production of peritoneal macrophages under basal and stimulated conditions, respectively. Met-Enk and anti-Met-Enk-Ig injected i.c.v. did not influence activity in the open field and pain sensitivity. Thus, the i.c.v. dose of Met-Enk that was sufficient to modulate immune functions did not influence behavior. It may be concluded that Met-Enk modulated nonspecific immune responses and open field behavior by peripheral mechanisms.