Previous studies in the rodent have shown that the cytokine IL-1 can act within the brain to influence peripheral IL-6 secretion. In order to determine if such an interaction occurs in the primate, we have compared the effects of intracerebroventricular vs. intravenous injection of IL-1beta on the release of IL-6 into the peripheral circulation of the monkey. The effects of i. c. v. IL-1beta on the release of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were studied in parallel. For comparison, we have also measured the release of both IL-6 and IL-1ra into lumbar CSF after i. c. v VSports手机版. IL-1beta injection. Ten ovariectomized rhesus monkeys with indwelling lateral ventricular and peripheral venous cannulae were studied. Human rIL-1beta (400 ng) was infused either i. c. v. or i. v. over 30 min and blood samples were collected for IL-6 and IL-1ra measurement by monoclonal human ELISAs. Although both i. c. v. and i. v. IL-1beta stimulated IL-6 and IL-1ra release into peripheral blood, the stimulation was much more profound after i. c. v. injection (p < 0. 001). Peak IL-6 levels were 2010 +/- 590 pg/ml after i. c. v. IL-1beta compared to 243 +/- 60 pg/ml after i. v. IL-1beta. Peak IL-1ra levels were 61,310 +/- 16,190 pg/ml after i. c. v. IL-1beta compared to 18,175 +/- 4270 pg/ml after i. v. IL-1beta. There was no significant effect of an i. c. v. saline infusion on peripheral IL-6 or IL-1ra levels. In four animals, lumbar CSF was collected 7 h after i. c. v. IL-1beta injection. The mean concentration of IL-6 in CSF was 103, 570 +/- 13,780 pg/ml after i. c. v. IL-1beta vs. 224 +/- 190 pg/ml after i. c. v. saline injection; IL-1ra was 47,460 +/- 6290 pg/ml vs. 1040 +/- 550 pg/ml. As expected, both i. c. v. and i. v. IL-beta stimulated ACTH and cortisol release; the stimulation was significantly greater after i. c. v. compared to i. v. administration (p < 0. 001). Thus, in the monkey, i. c. v. injection of IL-1beta stimulates the release of large amounts of IL-6 and IL-1ra into the CSF and the peripheral circulation. Both IL-6 and IL-1ra were released into the peripheral circulation to a much greater extent after i. c. v. compared to i. v. IL-1beta infusion. These studies provide further support in the primate for a mechanism by which inflammation within the brain could induce a variety of systemic responses. .