The effects of psychological stress on plasma interleukin-6 activity in rats

doi:10.1016/0031-9384(90)90024-X

Physiology & Behavior

Volume 47, Issue 5, May 1990, Pages 957-961

https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(90)90024-X Get rights and content

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a particular psychological stress, exposure to an open-field, on plasma IL-6 activity in rats. Plasma IL-6 activity was 40.6±7.2 units/ml in control rats, 105±6.8 units/ml after 30 minutes exposure to an open-field, and 221±17 units/ml after 60 minutes of exposure (p=0.0003). There was a positive correlation (r=.71, p=0.043) between the change in plasma IL-6 activity and body temperature. However, we conclude, based on earlier data relating plasma IL-6 activity to body temperature changes following injection of lipopolysaccharide, that the plasma levels of IL-6 following exposure to an open-field are not high enough to account for the rise in body temperature observed in rats during this stress. In conclusion, these experiments indicate that exposure to psychological stress can elevate the plasma concentration of IL-6, a known mediator of the acute phase response.

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ArticleThe effects of psychological stress on plasma interleukin-6 activity in rats

Abstract

Physiol. Behav.

Lancet Oct

J. Psychosom. Res.

Physiol. Behav.

Immunol. Today

Production of hybridoma growth factors by human monocytes

Eur. J. Immunol.

Involvement of endorphins in emotional hyperthermia of rats

Life Sci.

Colonic temperature of rats during handing

Acta Physiol. Latinoam.

Emotional fever and salicylate

Increased plasma interleukin-1 activity in women after ovulation

Science

Endogenous pyrogen activity in human plasma after exercise

Science

Article
The effects of psychological stress on plasma interleukin-6 activity in rats