The effect of adrenalectomy on interleukin-1 release in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Peritoneal macrophages (M∅) collected from adrenalectomized (ADX) rats released more interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) than macrophages from sham-operated (SHO) rats. The increase in IL-1 activity in the supernatants was confirmed by the increase of the cell-associated 33 kD IL-1α precursor in ADX macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After the injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) to induce adjuvant arthritis, 60% of the ADX rats died, while no deaths occurred in the SHO group. The in vivo administration of dexamethasone inhibited both IL-1 and PGE2 release by macrophages as well as protecting ADX animals from CFA-induced death. Indomethacin and BW 755C partially protected the animals from this lethal effect. These results suggest that adrenalectomy induces an increased release of IL-1 both in vitro and in vivo, and are consistent with a feedback mechanism between IL-1 and glucocorticoid hormones.