The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on immune modulation in rats
subjected to a right-unilateral lesion of the substantia nigra neurons by
means of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), were investigated. LPS administration
(250 ?g) significantly decreases the total number of leukocytes and
erythrocytes, as well as the hemoglobin level in the 6-OHDAlesioned rats. In
addition, LPS administration was also associated with an increase, relative
to control, in the erythrocyte indexes and the phagocytosis by neutrophils,
and in blastic transformation of T lymphocytes. The obtained data indicated
that LPS exposure might represent a risk factor for the development of the
immunological changes associated with Parkinson?s disease.