β-Adrenergic blockade protects BALB/c mice against infection with a small inoculum of Leishmania mexicana mexicana (LV4).

In order to test the influence of the sympathetic nervous system on Leishmania mexicana infection, groups of female BALB/c mice were treated (i.p.) with the non-selective β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) antagonist (S)-propranolol (5mg/kg thrice a day), the β2-AR agonist clenbuterol (1mg/kg once a day) or the α2-AR antagonist yohimbine (2mg/kg twice a day) during 5days.