title: Neurotensin analog NT77 induces regulated hypothermia in the rat.
abstract: The potential use of hypothermia as a therapeutic treatment for stroke and other pathological insults has prompted the search for drugs that can lower core temperature. Ideally, a drug is needed that reduces the set-point for control of core temperature (T(c)) and thereby induces a regulated reduction in T(c). To this end, a neurotensin analog (NT77) that crosses the blood brain barrier and induces hypothermia was assessed for its effects on the set-point for temperature regulation in the Sprague-Dawley rat by measuring behavioral and autonomic thermoregulatory responses. Following surgical implanation of radiotransmitters to monitor T(c), rats were placed in a temperature gradient and allowed to select from a range of ambient temperatures (T(a)) while T(c) was monitored by radiotelemetry. There was an abrupt decrease in selected T(a) from 29 to 16 degrees C and a concomitant reduction in T(c) from 37.4 to 34.0 degrees C 1 hr after IP injection of 5.0 mg/kg NT77. Selected T(a) and T(c) then recovered to control levels by 1.5 hr and 4 hr, respectively. Oxygen consumption (M) and heat loss (H) were measured in telemetered rats housed in a direct calorimeter maintained at a T(a) of 23.5 degrees C. Injection of NT77 initially led to a reduction in M, little change in H, and marked decrease in T(c). H initially rose but decreased around the time of the maximal decrease in T(c). Overall, NT77 appears to induce a regulated hypothermic response because the decrease in T(c) was preceded by a reduction in heat production, no change in heat loss, and preference for cold T(a)'s. Inducing a regulated hypothermic response with drugs such as NT77 may be an important therapy for ischemic disease and other insults.
authors.affiliation: National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. gordon.christopher@epa.gov
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Elliott
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Richelson
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Padnos
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002151:Calorimetry; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: C477786:NT77, rat; D009496:Neurotensin