Inflammatory processes contribute to the aetiopathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine, is found in the brains of AD patients, but not in brains of normal control persons. In the present study, the effects of seven non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-induced IL-6 mRNA expression and protein synthesis in a human astrocytoma cell line were investigated. Tenidap, naproxen and meloxicam inhibited the IL-1 beta-induced synthesis of IL-6, whereas ibuprofen, piroxicam, diclofenac and indomethacin had no effect. While the effects of naproxen and meloxicam were small and restricted to protein synthesis, tenidap strongly inhibited IL-6 protein synthesis and also affected IL-6 mRNA levels. It is concluded that NSAIDs, and particularly tenidap, may be useful for the treatment of inflammatory processes associated with AD.