Interleukin-1 (IL-1) induces natriuresis and diuresis. In the present study, the effect of basolateral IL-1 on sodium and water transport was examined in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) perfused in vitro. IL-1, 10 pg/ml and 10 ng/ml, inhibited lumen-to-bath sodium flux (JNa, peq.min-1.mm tubule-1), depolarizing transepithelial voltage (Vt) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of 10 ng/ml but not 10 pg/ml IL-1 on Vt and JNa was mitigated by 5 microM indomethacin (IND) in bath. Also, 10 ng/ml IL-1, which did not affect the basal hydraulic conductivity (Lp, x10(-7) cm.atm-1.s-1) by itself, inhibited the hydrosmotic effect of 20 pM basolateral arginine vasopressin, and 5 microM IND abolished this inhibitory effect of 10 ng/ml IL-1. The present study demonstrated direct inhibitory effect of basolateral IL-1 on sodium and water reabsorption in the rabbit CCD. The effect of IL-1 is suggested to be mediated, in part, by a cyclooxygenase metabolite(s).