Effect of murine recombinant interleukin-1 on brain oedema in the rat

We investigated the effects of murine recombinant interleukin-1 (rIL-1, Du Pont) in vivo in the normal rat brain and here report both local and systemic effects of centrally administered rIL-1. Normal rats were given single or multiple atraumatic doses of either rIL-1 or and equal volume (5 microliters) of vehicle for control comparison. All dosages of intraparenchymal rIL-1 produced a uniform a hyperthermic response and concomitant lethargy. There was a related anorexia beyond fever duration. Histologic examination of intraparenchymal injection tracts revealed fibrillary whorls of oedema and a cellular infiltrate surrounding the rIL-1 tract, while similar changes were less prominent in control injection tracts. Repeated high doses of rIL-1 produced significantly higher concentrations of brain water as measured by the gravimetric technique. We conclude that rIL-1 is not only a potent chemoattractant, but is also an edigematic agent when administered in high doses.