Norepinephrine induces the expression of interleukin-6 via β-adrenoreceptor-NAD(P)H oxidase system -NF-κB dependent signal pathway in U937 macrophages.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease in the vessel wall. IL-6 is a mediator of inflammation and a major alarm hormone signaling tissue damage and infection to the body's host defense system, in particular to the liver, where it induces the synthesis of acute phase plasma proteins. Although Norepinephrine (NE) can stimulate the vascular cells to produce IL-6, it is unknown whether NE induces IL-6 expression in macrophages.