In vivo changes in plasma acute phase protein levels in the rat induced by slow release of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF

Administration of large doses of cytokines by injection is required to induce changes in acute phase protein levels. Comparisons were made in the rat of the effects of administering recombinant human cytokines by injection with continuous release from implanted osmotic minipumps. Continuous release of interleukin-1β (0.2–2.1 ng h(-1)) induced dose-related changes in the plasma levels of albumin, seromucoid proteins, haptoglobin and caeruloplasmin; interleukin-1α had similar effects but required higher doses (2–21 ng h(-1)). Tumour necrosis factor α (50 ng h(-1)) only significantly increased seromucoid levels, whereas IL-6 (3–30 ng h(-1)) induced haptoglobin and caeruloplassynthesis. This method provides a better technique for studying the in rive effects of cytokines which may be relevant to the release mechanisms in inflammation.