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Central action of interleukin‐1 in altering the release of tsh, growth hormone, and prolactin in the male rat
Author(s) -
Rettori V.,
Jurcovicova J.,
McCann S. M.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490180125
Subject(s) - prolactin , endocrinology , medicine , hormone , thyroid stimulating hormone , peptide hormone , chemistry
Abstract In order to determine the possible effects of interleukin‐1 on the release of pituitary hormones by direct action on the brian, the peptide was injected into the third brain ventricle of conscious, unrestrained male rats and the effects on hormone release were compared with effects on rectal temperature. The procedure of blood sampling and intraventricular injection resulted in a significant decline in body temperature and a decrease in plasma growth hormone without alteration in the plasma level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin. Interleukin‐1 injected intraventricularly at a dose of 5 ng (0.3 pmol) prevented the decline in body temperature that occurred in the saline‐injected controls and resulted in a significant elevation of plasma growth hormone levels that became apparent within 15 min of injection, as well as a highly variable but significant elevation of plasma prolactin and a significant decline in plasma TSH that was observed at 30 min. The results were similar when areas under the release curves for the various hormones were calculated. On the other hand, the higher dose of 25 ng (1.5 pmole) of interleukin‐1, although producing a frank pyrexia, was associated with smaller changes in hormone values, which were no longer significant for any of the three hormones. The results indicate that interleukin‐1 can act in minute doses, presumably on structures near the third ventricle, to stimulate growth homone and prolactin release and to inhibit TSH releas. Apparently when frank febrile responses occur, these hormonal responses are muted for reasons that are yet to be determined. In view of the minute doses injected we favor a hypothalamic site for these effects.