RESUMEN
<p><b>AIM</b>To determine whether bombesin prevents IFN-alpha-induced fever and it's possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Effects of BN on changes in body temperature and arginine vasopressin(AVP) content in the ventral septal area(VSA) and hypothalamus were measured in the rats following intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of IFN-alpha.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) IFN-alpha produced a dose-dependent rise in colonic temperature simultaneously with increase in AVP content in the VSA in the rats. (2) BN produced a dose-dependent hypothermia and significantly elevated AVP content in the VSA in rats. (3) BN injected intracerebroventricularly at 30 min after IFN-alpha prevented the increase in colonic temperature which recovered to the control level as well as AVP content in the VSA in rats at 150 min.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AVP in the VSA may play a role in IFN-alpha-induced fever. AVP in the VSA may play a partial role in the BN antipyretic action and hypothermic action.</p>