Interleukin-1 beta enhances capsaicin-induced neurogenic vasodilatation in the rat skin

Br J Pharmacol. 1994 Mar;111(3):681-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1994.tb14791.x.

Abstract

1. This study examined the effect of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) on the capsaicin-induced increase in cutaneous blood flow of anaesthetized rats as measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. 2. The substances were administered by intraplantar subcutaneous injection of 10 microliters-volumes, saline being injected into one hindpaw and IL-1 beta into the other. 3. IL-1 beta (0.5-500 pg) was without effect on blood flow on its own but dose-dependently enhanced the hyperaemic response to intraplantar capsaicin (0.3 microgram) up to 180% (P < 0.05) of the response seen in saline-treated paws. 4. Il-1 beta-(163-171), a fragment devoid of proinflammatory activity, failed to enhance capsaicin-induced hyperaemia when given at a dose of 50 pg. 5. Indomethacin (10 mg kg-1, i.p.) did not alter the capsaicin-induced vasodilatation but prevented IL-1 beta (50 pg) from augmenting the hyperaemic response to capsaicin. 6. The hyperaemia evoked by intraplantar calcitonin gene-related peptide (0.038-3.8 ng) was not altered by IL-1 beta (50 pg). 7. These data indicate that IL-1 beta enhances the cutaneous hyperaemic response to afferent nerve stimulation with capsaicin in a prostaglandin-dependent manner. This proinflammatory action of the cytokine appears to arise from sensitization of afferent nerve endings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / pharmacology
  • Capsaicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Hyperemia / chemically induced
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-1 / pharmacology*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / innervation*
  • Neurons, Afferent / drug effects*
  • Neurons, Afferent / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Skin / blood supply*
  • Stimulation, Chemical
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*
  • Vasodilation / physiology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-1
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Capsaicin
  • Indomethacin