The influence of dosing time on the fever induced by interferon- alpha
(IFN- alpha) was investigated in ICR male mice under light-dark cycle
. There was a significant circadian rhythm in rectal temperature, as a
n index of fever, at 1 hr after IFN- alpha (10 MIU/kg, i.v.) injection
. The rhythmic pattern resembled overall the rhythm occuring in the no
ndrugged state. IFN- alpha increased rectal temperature during the lig
ht phase, but not during the dark phase. The fever induced by IFN- alp
ha was blocked by indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) pretreatment. There wa
s no significant difference of plasma IFN- alpha concentrations at 0.1
67, 0.5 and 1 hr after IFN- alpha injection. Therefore the dosing time
dependent difference of fever induced by IFN- alpha may be caused via
that of PGE2 level elevated by IFN- alpha. The choice of the most app
ropriate time of day for drug administration may help to achieve ratio
nal chronotherapeutics of IFN- alpha. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.