The Nervous-Humoral Regulation of the Leukocytes

Abstract

Mechanical or electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic region is followed by a rapid onset of a marked neutrophilic leukocytosis with shift to the left indicating increased activity of the bone marrow The respective areas can be incapacitated temporarily by Luminal, which acts mainly on the brain stem and inhibits leukocytosis by bacterial protein, but not non-bacterial leukocytosis. Apparently, the mechanism of abacterial and bacterial leukocytosis is different. Narcotics such as chloralhydrate which act predominantly on the cortical regions of the brain do not inhibit the induction of leukocytosis. Antipyrin does not inhibit the induction of leukocytosis. These data support the concept of a regulating role of the diencephalon (especially the hypothalamic area) for reactive leukocytosis. These regulations, though cerebrally initiated and governed, are of a humoral nature, as shown by expts. on para_ biotic animals and by expts. on ACTH mechanisms. Nervous stimuli seem to liberate effector substances in the liver which in turn act on the bone marrow.