A warmer ambient temperature increases the passage of interleukin-l(3 into the brains of old rats

摘要

We have demonstrated that after intraperitoneal Iipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, old rats mount fevers similar to those of young rats at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 31degC, but not at 21degC. The same is true for intraperitoneal or intravenous IL-1beta administration. The underlying mechanism responsible for blunted fever in old rats may be a deficiency in communication between the periphery and the brain. Possibly, peripheral cytokine actions are altered in old rats, such that the signal that reaches the brain is diminished.