In the present study we investigated the effect of the interleukin 1 beta on intracellular free calcium concentrations in 235-1 cell line both in basal conditions and after stimulation by the calcium channel activator maitotoxin. Interleukin 1 beta (from 0.01 pM to 10 nM) was unable to significantly affect basal cytosolic free calcium levels in acute conditions. The preincubation of these cells with interleukin 1 beta for 48h modulates maitotoxin stimulation of calcium fluxes without modifying basal intracellular free calcium levels. Low concentrations of interleukin 1 beta (0.01 pM, 1 pM) caused a marked reduction of intracellular free calcium concentrations increase induced by maitotoxin while higher doses of the monokine potentiated maitotoxin stimulation of calcium fluxes. The specificity of interleukin 1 beta effect was tested by means of polyclonal anti-interleukin 1 beta antibody (titer 1:100) which significantly abolished the inhibitory effect of interleukin 1 beta on free cytosolic calcium levels. These results show that a long lasting interaction of interleukin 1 beta with its receptor is able to influence voltage-sensitive calcium channels activation induced by maitotoxin in 235-1 cells.