β-endorphin modulation of interferon-γ, perforin and granzyme B levels in splenic NK cells: Effects of ethanol

The effects of ethanol and beta-endorphin (β-EP) on productions of cytolytic factors granzyme B, perforin and IFN-γ in splenic rat NK cells were determined. Intracranial administration of β-EP increased protein and mRNA levels of cytolytic factors in NK cells. Chronic ethanol feeding reduced the basal and β-EP-induced levels of cytolytic factors in NK cells. In vitro treatment of β-EP on NK cells increased the levels of perforin, granzyme B and IFN-γ and their mRNA transcripts, whereas ethanol pre-treatment prevented β-EP effects on cytolytic factors in these cells. These results suggest that β-EP and ethanol interact to regulate NK cell functions.