Responses of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the cold stress: effects of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs.

The cold stress induced in rabbits by lowering their body temperature by 3 degrees C resulted in neutrophilia and a decrease in number of phagocytes and phagocytized bacteria. The stress did not affect the number of lymphocytes and the ability of forming E rosettes by T lymphocytes, but depressed the formation of EAC rosettes by B lymphocytes. This inhibition of neutrophil activity was antagonized completely by acetylsalicylic acid, and substantially by mefenamic acid and indomethacin administered, in doses inhibiting pyrogen-induced fever, either 2.5 h before or 1.5 h after the hypothermia. The drugs did not antagonize the depression of the ability of formation of EAC rosettes.