Effects of pineal gland on immune cells in normal and adjuvant arthritis rats

The effects of pinealectomy and exogenous melatonin on immune cells of normal and adjuvant arthritis(AA) rats were investigated. It was found that PX could inhibit ConA and LPS-induced proliferation of splenocytes in normal and AA rats, and decrease LPS-induced IL-1 production of peritoneal macrophages in normal rats but showed counter-effects in AA rats.Exogenous MT(10μg kg-1)could antagonize above changes and restore to normal level, which suggested that pineal gland regulated the function of immunc cells in vivo.