Effects of serotonin synthesis blockade on interleukin-1 beta action in the brain of rats

The ability of the brain serotonergic system to mediate the effects of inte rleukin-1 beta (lL-1 beta) was investigated. Intracerebroventricular admini stration of IL-1 beta induced a significant pyrogenic reaction, depression in social behaviour, loss of body weight and reduced food intake in rats. P re-treatment with p-chlorphenylalanine, an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis , blocked the IL-1 beta -induced decrease in food intake and loss of body w eight, but failed to alter the temperature increase and the decrease in com municative activity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BY All rights reserved.