We have previously reported that central injection of PGE2 induces hyperthermia through its actions on EP1 receptors in rats. Because the increase in local synthesis of PGE2 is assumed to be a necessary process in a fever caused by central injection of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), an EP1 receptor antagonist (SC-19220) should inhibit the IL-1beta-induced fever. To test this hypothesis, we observed the effect of SC-19220 on the fever produced by injection of recombinant human IL-1beta (rhIL-1beta) into the lateral cerebroventricle (LCV) in conscious rats. Administration of SC-19220 (100 microgram) into the LCV 15 min before LCV injection of rhIL-1beta (4 ng) suppressed an initial rise in colonic temperature for 30 min, producing a fever with a longer latency to onset and a longer time to peak elevation. SC-19220, given 60 min after the central administration of rhIL-1beta, also suppressed the rhIL-1beta-induced fever 15-60 min after its injection. These findings suggest that the central IL-1beta-induced fever in rats is mediated, at least partly, by activation of EP1 receptors by PGE2.