Methionine-enkephalin alteration of mitogenic and mixed lymphocyte culture responses in zinc-deficient mice.

The effects of methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) on mitogenic and mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) proliferation of splenocytes from Zn-deficient, restricted and control mice were evaluated. The data from this experiment show that Met-Enk can suppress the responses of splenocyte from the 3 groups to concanavalin A (Con A), but less inhibition was observed in the Zn-deficient group. Met-Enk can also enhance the responses to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and decrease the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in all groups. Alteration of proliferative responses to Con A and PWM were reversible in the presence of naloxone 10 mumol/L indicating that the effect of Met-Enk on cellular proliferation was mediated by the opioid receptor. In the proliferation of MLC, the response of lymphocytes from Zn-deficient mice was increased in the absence of Met-Enk and Met-Enk can suppress this increased response. It is therefore concluded that Met-Enk can modify the pattern of mitogenic responses and the alteration in Con A and MLC responses can be influenced by zinc deficiency.