Human recombinant interleukin-1 beta inhibits nicotinic transmission in neurons of guinea pig pelvic plexus ganglia.

The actions of human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (hrIL-1 beta) were tested on guinea pig pelvic plexus ganglion neurons using intracellular electrophysiological methods in vitro. hrIL-1 beta caused membrane depolarization associated with a decreased input resistance or inward currents in 54% of neurons tested. hrIL-1 beta caused a hyperpolarization associated with an increase in input resistance or outward currents in 30% of neurons tested. hrIL-1 beta-evoked responses were not altered by hexamethonium (100 microM), atropine (0.5 microM), yohimbine (0.3 microM), or naloxone (1 microM), indicating that cholinergic, alpha 2-adrenergic, or opioid receptors were not involved. Drugs that inhibit Na+, Ca2+, or K+ channels did not change hrIL-1 beta-evoked responses. Stimulation of synaptic inputs to pelvic ganglion neurons evoked nicotinic cholinergic fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs). hrIL-1 beta inhibited fEPSPs in 44% of neurons tested but had no effect on acetylcholine-induced depolarizations. An IL-1 beta receptor antagonist blocked all actions of hrIL-1 beta. In summary, hrIL-1 beta has excitatory and inhibitory actions on pelvic ganglion neurons. Inhibition of fEPSPs by hrIL-1 beta may be due to presynaptic inhibition of acetylcholine release.