Temporal analysis of the anti-inflammatory effects of decentralization of the rat superior cervical ganglia

Bilateral decentralization of the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) reduced the pulmonary inflammation that develops 4-8 h after induction of anaphylaxis in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-sensitized rats. Histamine levels in peritoneal lavage fluid and rat mast cell protease type II in serum were increased to comparable levels in sham-operated and decentralized rats. In vitro stimulation of alveolar macrophages (ALM) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) provoked tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release that was two to three times greater with unchallenged decentralized rats than with sham-operated rats. However, after allergen challenge LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha release from ALM of sham-operated rats increased threefold and lasted at least 24 h, whereas with decentralized rats release of this cytokine actually decreased at 4 and 8 h. The increase in the phagocytosis and respiratory burst of circulating neutrophils seen at 4 and 8 h after allergen challenge in sham-operated rats was reduced significantly by decentralization. These results suggest that the attenuation of anaphylaxis-induced pulmonary inflammation that occurs with decentralization of the SCG is primarily associated with downregulation of neutrophil and macrophage functions.