Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) increases pain behavior and the blood glucose level: Possible involvement of sympathetic nervous system

► The pain induced by intrathecally IL-1β administration increased blood glucose. ► TH mRNA level after i.t. IL-1β injection was enhanced in adrenal glands. ► The α-adrenergic blockers inhibited blood glucose and pain behavior induced by IL-1β. ► The blood glucose was not attenuated by β-adrenergic blockers. ► IL-1β injected i.t. increases blood glucose via activated sympathetic nervous system.