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Interleukin-6 is pyrogenic but not somnogenic
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.
Physiology & Behavior
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL6) causes fever but does not induce sleep in rabbits. This suggests that IL1
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Interleukin-6 (IL6) is known to induce acute phase protein production.
- IL6 is hypothesized to mediate the systemic and central effects of Interleukin-1 (IL1).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether Interleukin-6 (IL6) possesses somnogenic properties.
- To determine the direct effects of IL6 on sleep-wake activity and brain temperature.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits were administered IL6 intracerebroventricularly.
- Sleep-wake activity was monitored.
- Brain temperatures were recorded for 6 hours post-injection.
Main Results:
- IL6 induced a dose-related fever.
- No significant effects on sleep-wake activity were observed.
- IL6 was the first cytokine identified to cause fever without promoting sleep.
Conclusions:
- The somnogenic action of IL1 is not mediated through IL6.
- IL6 does not possess somnogenic properties.
- Cytokine-induced fever and sleep regulation may be distinct processes.