Distinguishing the Central Pathways of the Inflammatory Reflex from those of Fever

Abstract

In response to a systemic inflammatory challenge, the CNS orchestrates several stereotyped responses. First, the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis is activated. Second, there is fever. Third, the splanchnic anti‐inflammatory pathway (SAIP), the efferent arm of the inflammatory reflex, is activated to inhibit an excessive release of pro‐inflammatory markers (Martelli et al. Exp Physiol 2016;101(10):1245–1252). The first two responses, dependent on prostaglandin synthesis, are blocked by cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors (Garcia‐Bueno et al. J Neurosci 2009;29(41):12970–81; Steiner et al. Am J P..