Norepinephrine enhances the LPS-induced expression of COX-2 and secretion of PGE2 in primary rat microglia.

Background: Recent studies suggest an important role for neurotransmitters as modulators of inflammation. Neuroinflammatory mediators such as cytokines and molecules of the arachidonic acid pathway are generated and released by microglia. The monoamine norepinephrine reduces the production of cytokines by activated microglia in vitro.