SummaryThe changes in food intake and biochemistry following Freund's adjuvant (AJ)‐induced inflammation in rats were investigated. Injection of AJ into rats resulted in a transient anorexia but a sustained decrease in body weight. Within 14 days, body weight decreased by 12% (P<0·05) and adipose tissue (retroperitoneal fat pads) decreased by more than 50%. Biochemical changes seen in association with the AJ‐induced wasting included decreased plasma concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol. Injection of cyclosporin‐A (CS) (20 mg/kg) with the AJ decreased the anorexia, prevented the sustained loss of body weight and adipose tissue and reversed the effects on plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations. Insulin concentrations were not significantly affected by the AJ or AJ/CS treatments. Peritoneal macrophages from AJ‐treated rats produced 3‐fold more tumour necrosis factor‐α (cachectin) than control rats. This effect was not observed in rats treated with AJ plus CS. The results are consistent with CS preventing the release of cytokines which have anorectic and catabolic actions (IL‐1, TNF), although there is also the possibility that CS has effects involving endocrine mechanisms.