Cytokine-induced activation of the neuroendocrine stress axis persists in endotoxin-tolerant mice

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 557; no. 1-2; p. 327
• Main Authors: Mefford, I N, Masters, C F, Heyes, M P, Eskay, R L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 23-08-1991
• Subjects: Animals; Biogenic Monoamines - metabolism; Corticosterone - metabolism; Cytokines - pharmacology; Dopamine - metabolism; Drug Tolerance; Endotoxins - toxicity; Hypothalamus - drug effects; Hypothalamus - metabolism; Interleukin-1 - pharmacology; Lipopolysaccharides - toxicity; Macrophages - drug effects; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neurosecretory Systems - drug effects; Neurosecretory Systems - physiology; Norepinephrine - metabolism; Stress, Physiological - physiopathology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0006-8993
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(91)90154-N

Chronic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mice markedly reduced activation of the neuroendocrine stress axis elicited by an acute challenge dose of LPS. LPS-induced elevation in norepinephrine turnover in the hypothalamus showed complete tolerance whereas elevation of plasma corticosterone showed only partial tolerance. Challenge-induced increased turnover of dopamine in hypothalamus persisted in LPS-tolerant animals. Neuroendocrine activation persisted following acute challenge with interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor following chronic LPS exposure.