title: Hypothalamic thermosensitivity in capsaicin-desensitized rats.
abstract: In rats, we tested the hypothesis that capsaicin desensitization reduces hypothalamic warm thermosensitivity. We locally heated and cooled the hypothalamus using water-perfused thermodes while observing thermoregulatory variables. In untreated rats, a small dose of capsaicin had profound effects on thermoregulation. However, desensitizing rats to capsaicin had no effect on hypothalamic thermosensitivity for metabolic rate or changes in body temperature due to displacements of hypothalamic temperature. Contrary to current opinion, we conclude that capsaicin desensitization does not alter hypothalamic thermosensitivity to warm or cold.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008660:Metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D002211:Capsaicin