Critical role for peripherally-derived interleukin-10 in mediating the thermoregulatory manifestations of fever and hypothermia in severe forms of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation.

Although peripherally released interleukin (IL)-10 has a critical regulatory role in limiting fever in mild-to-moderate forms of inflammation, its role in regulating the more complex thermoregulatory manifestations of hypothermia and fever noted during severe inflammation is less clear. Using cytokine antagonism, we therefore investigated the involvement of peripherally released IL-10 in mediating hypothermia, fever and inflammation induced by intraperitoneal (IP) administration of a large dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were anaesthetized and implanted intra-abdominally with temperature-sensitive radiotelemeters.