Central interleukin-1 partially mediates endotoxin-induced changes in glucose metabolism.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether intracerebral interleukin (IL)-1 mediates the endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]-induced increase in glucose flux. To accomplish this goal, a specific receptor antagonist for IL-1 (IL-1ra) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid was infused into the lateral ventricle via an intracerebroventricular cannula before, and for 4 h after, the intravenous injection of LPS. Whole body glucose flux was measured in conscious unrestrained rats using [3-3H]glucose. LPS increased both the plasma glucose concentration and the rate of glucose production (95 and 80%, respectively). In contrast, intracerebroventricular infusion of IL-1ra (2 mg/kg + 2 mg-kg-1.h-1) attenuated by approximately 50% the LPS-induced changes in glucose metabolism. IL-1ra also blunted the increase in plasma catecholamines, but not the elevation in glucagon and corticosterone concentrations, observed after LPS. Intracerebroventricular infusion of IL-1ra greatly reduced the LPS-induced hyperlactacidemia but did not alter the increase in muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. An intravenous infusion of a 10-fold greater dose of IL-1ra, however, did not antagonize the LPS-induced increase in glucose flux. These data indicate that a major portion of the stimulation of glucose flux, as well as the increase in plasma catecholamines in response to LPS, is mediated by IL-1 within the central nervous system.