Effect of heat stress on LPS-induced fever and tumor necrosis factor

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of heat exposure on the development of fever in rats induced by endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results showed significantly higher fevers for rats injected with LPS 24 hrs after heat exposure. Heat-stressed rats also exhibited decrease in body weight and reduced plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) concentration. Findings also indicated evidence of inducible HSP-70 accumulated for heat stressed rats. It is suggested that attenuated changes in serum iron and higher fevers are caused by the reduction in TNF.