The catecholamine mechanisms of prostaglandin E1-induced hypothermia in rats.
Intraperitoneal administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) produced a hypothermia in rats at room temperatue (22 degrees C). The hypothermia in response to PGE1 was due to cutaneous vasodilatation and decreased metabolic heat production. Depletion of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (with 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine and p-chlorophenylalanine) did not alter the PGE1-induced hypothermia. However, depletion of bran catecholamines (with 6-hydroxydopamine) and blockade of central catecholaminergic receptors (with phentolamine and propranolol) both greatly reduced the PGE1-induced hypothermia. The data indicate that PGE1 lowers body temperature in rats by acting on the central catecholaminergic systems.
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology*; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000187:drug effects; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis
D002395:Catecholamines; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin