Interaction between GABA and norepinephrine in interleukin-1β-induced suppression of the luteinizing hormone surge

Abstract

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a cytokine that is closely associated with inflammation and immune stress, is known to interfere with reproductive functions. Earlier studies have demonstrated that IL-1β inhibits the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge during the afternoon of proestrus in female rats. We have shown that this effect is most probably mediated through a reduction in norepinephrine (NE) levels in the medial preoptic area (MPA) of the hypothalamus. However, the mechanism by which IL-1β decreases NE levels in the MPA is unclear. We hypothesized that the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA could play a role in decreasing NE levels in the MPA. To test this, ovariectomized, steroid-primed rats were injected (i.p.) with either PBS–BSA (control) or 5 μg of IL-1β, alone or in combination with i.c.v. administration of GABA-A and GABA-B receptor antagonists, Bicuculline and CGP 35348 (CGP) respectively. Animals were subjected to push–pull perfusion of the MPA and perfusates collected at 30 min intervals were analyzed for both NE and GABA levels using HPLC-EC. Simultaneously, serial plasma samples were obtained through jugular catheters and were analyzed for LH levels using RIA. Compared to control rats, NE levels decreased significantly in the MPA in IL-1β-treated rats ( p < 0.05). Concurrently, there was a significant increase in GABA levels in the MPA ( p < 0.05). The GABA-A receptor antagonist, bicuculline, was able to reverse the effect of IL-1β on NE and LH, while the GABA-B receptor antagonist, CGP 35348 was without any effect. This leads us to conclude that the IL-1β-induced suppression of the LH surge is most probably mediated through an increase in GABA levels in the MPA which causes a reduction in NE levels. This is probably one of the mechanisms by which IL-1β inhibits reproductive functions.