Interleukin-1 increases norepinephrine turnover in the spleen and lung in rats.

To clarify effects of interleukin-1 on sympathetic nerve activity, norepinephrine turnover in various organs was assessed in rats after intraperitoneal injection of recombinant human interleukin-1 beta. Interleukin-1 administration increased norepinephrine turnover in the spleen, lung and hypothalamus without appreciable effect in the heart, liver, submandibular gland, thymus, pancreas, brown adipose tissue and medulla oblongata. Similar changes in norepinephrine turnover were also found after the administration of bacterial endotoxin. It was concluded that interleukin-1 activates the sympathetic nerves specifically in the spleen and lung.