Do Opioid, alpha(2)-Adrenoreceptors, or Benzodiazepine Receptors Mediate ECS-Induced Hypothermia in Mice?
A single electroconvulsive shock in TO mice produced a drop in body temperature of 1.5-2 degrees C, which was maintained for up to 60 min. This hypothermic response was not attenuated by the opioid antagonist i.p. naltrexone (0.3, 1 mg/kg); the alpha(2)-adrenoreceptor antagonist i.p. RX811059 (0.05, 0.5 mg/kg), or the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist i.p. Ro 15-1788 (10, 20 mg/kg). The doses of antagonist used in this study had no effects on body temperature by themselves but significantly attenuated the hypothermia induced by their respective agonists, confirming their receptor-blocking activity. These findings suggest that electroconvulsive shock-induced hypothermia is not mediated by the release of either noradrenaline or by an endogenous ligand acting at opioid or benzodiazepine receptors.
Jackson
Helen C.
HC
Reckitt and Colman Psychopharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University Walk, Bristol, England.
Weinberger
Paul J.
PJ
Nutt
David J.
DJ