title: Prostaglandins do not mediate interferon-alpha effects on mouse behavior.
abstract: Interferons play an important role in cell function as well as host defense against virus infection. Interferon-alpha stimulates cyclooxygenase-catalyzed prostaglandin synthesis. Therefore, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor was used to determine whether the behavioral effects of mouse interferon-alpha in mice are mediated by increased prostaglandin synthesis. Male DBA/2J mice were exposed to 1600 U/g mouse interferon-alpha, the buffer in which the interferon was diluted, 5 mg/kg of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, or 5 mg/kg indomethacin plus 1600 U/g mouse interferon-alpha. As in previous studies, interferon decreased activity and food pellets obtained in the first 4 hours after administration. Indomethacin had no effect on this effect of interferon; therefore, we conclude that the behavioral effects of interferon are not mediated by the fever or anorectic effects of prostaglandins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver 80262.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Crnic
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Segall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011453:Prostaglandins; D007213:Indomethacin