ROLE OF INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA, INTERLEUKIN-6 AND MACROPHAGE INFLAMMATORYPROTEIN-1-BETA IN PROSTAGLANDIN-E(2)-INDUCED HYPERTHERMIA IN RATS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of pyrogenic cyt okines, such as IL-1 beta, IL-6 and MIP-1 beta, in the mechanisms unde rlying the hyperthermic response of rats to central injection of PGE(2 ). Thus, specific murine neutralizing antibodies against these cytokin es were microinjected directly into the anterior hypothalamic, preopti c area (AH/POA) of unrestrained rats just before intracerebroventricul ar injection of PGE(2). The significant hyperthermia induced by PGE(2) was markedly suppressed by micro-injection of anti-IL-6 and partially attenuated by anti-IL-1 beta. However, the micro-injection of anti-MI P-1 beta failed to alter the hyperthermic response. The results indica te that PGE(2)-induced hyperthermia is presumably mediated through act ions of IL-6 on the thermosensitive cells of the AH/POA and confirm th at distinct and alternate pathways exist in the rat brain for the indu ction of fever.