title: Acetaminophen effects on behavioral thermoregulation in albino rats.
abstract: Acetaminophen (N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol) was administered intraperitoneally to 15 Sprague-Dawley rats partitioned into 3 studies (5 rats per study) using a within subjects, repeated-measures reversal design. Behavioral thermoregulation was assessed in a cold Skinner Box using 5-sec. exposures of microwave radiation [Specific Absorption Rate = 0.34 Watts/kg/(mW/cm2)] as reinforcing stimuli under a fixed-interval 2-min. schedule of positive reinforcement. Doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg (in solutions of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) acetaminophen showed stable rates of operant responding for heat compared with significant changes in rates for comparable doses of aspirin in a 1993 study by Vitulli, et al. Weight reductions and temperature increases varied significantly with before-session and after-session measures, respectively. 1994-95 biochemical data of Murphy, et al. from humans following aspirin or acetaminophen ingestion which affect thermoregulation and sleep patterns are discussed in conjunction with behavioral data from rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Albama, Mobile 36688, USA. wvitulli@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Vitulli
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Maranto
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Storey
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Luper
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin