β-Adrenergic regulation of proinflammatory cytokines in humans

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of β-adrenergic stimulation on IL-6 secretion in humans, and to determine the potential contribution to this response of adipocytes and peripheral blood cells (PBC).

Design: Experimental study in 8 human volunteers, and in vitro studies on murine adipocyte cell-line, 3T3.L1 and 3T3.F442A, and human PBC.

Measurements: Plasma IL-6 and TNFα responses to isoprenaline infusion. Cytokine secretion from differentiated adipocyte cell-lines and PBC in response to isoprenaline.

Results: Plasma IL-6 levels increased ninefold (median) by 180 min (baseline median 0.51 [interquartile range 0.47–1.4] vs 180 mins 4.53 [2.58–5.69] pg ml⁻¹, P=0.01). One hour after infusion, IL-6 levels (2.9 [1.27–3.98]) were lower than at 180 min (P=0.05), but higher than baseline (P=0.01). TNFα levels were unchanged. Differentiated adipocytes incubated in isoprenaline (0–0.1 μM) released significantly increased amounts of IL-6 whereas no response was elicited from PBC.

Conclusions: The induction of IL-6 observed in vivo may be attributed to the β-adrenergic stimulation of IL-6 release specifically from adipocytes, as opposed to circulating blood cells.