Effects of mammalian and avian neurotensins and neurotensin fragments on wet-dog shaking and body temperature in the rat.
The ability of mammalian and avian neurotensins and some neurotensin fragments to reduce wet-dog shaking (WDS) induced by thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and to influence rectal temperature was tested after their injection into the periaqueductal grey region of male rats. Both neurotensins inhibited TRH-induced WDS and reduced rectal temperature by 2 degrees C; this latter effect was prevented by prior TRH administration. Of the four neurotensin fragments tested, both (1-8)- and (8-13)-neurotensin reduced WDS but only (8-13)-neurotensin reduced rectal temperature significantly. (1-6)- and (1-11)-neurotensin were without effect in either test system. From the activity of the various peptides, further examples of the mutual antagonism between TRH and neurotensin have been demonstrated. It is suggested that there is a possible role for neurotensin in controlling body temperature via the periaqueductal grey and that this may be one function of neurotensin in avian species; there may also be more than one receptor system binding neurotensin in the brain.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D009496:Neurotensin; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone