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Numerous studies support a role for the endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system in the hypothermic effect of capsaicin. None of those studies, however, selectively delineate a role for 5-HT reuptake or 5-HT receptors in this regard. In the present investigation, we determined if the blockade of 5-HT reuptake or the activation of 5-HT(1A) or 5-HT(2) receptors modulates capsaicin-evoked hypothermia. The administration of capsaicin (0.2-1mg/kg, i.m.) produced dose-related hypothermia. Fluoxetine (10mg/kg, i.p.), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), did not affect body temperature. For combined administration, pretreatment with fluoxetine (10mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated the hypothermia caused by capsaicin (0.5 and 1mg/kg, i.m.). For the 5-HT receptor experiments, we pretreated rats with either WAY 100635, a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, or mianserin, a 5-HT(2) receptor antagonist, and then administered a fixed, hypothermic dose of capsaicin (1mg/kg, i.m.). WAY 100635 (1mg/kg, s.c.) administration did not affect capsaicin-evoked hypothermia. This indicates that 5-HT(1A) receptor activation does not play a major role in the hypothermic effect of capsaicin. In contrast, pretreatment with mianserin (10mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the hypothermic effect of capsaicin (1mg/kg, i.m.). The present data reveal that capsaicin-evoked hypothermia in rats is attenuated by the blockade of 5-HT reuptake and enhanced by the antagonism of 5-HT(2) receptors.

Icilin (AG-3-5) is a cold-inducing agent that activates the transient receptor potential channels TRPM8 and TRPA1. Both channels are members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of ion channels and are activated by cold. Despite the key role of cold-activated TRPM8 and TRPA1 channels in temperature sensation and other physiological processes, the significance of these channels in thermoregulation in conscious animals is poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the effects of icilin on body temperature in rats and tested the hypothesis that cold-activated TRP channel activation by icilin causes a hyperthermia which requires nitric oxide (NO) production and NMDA receptor stimulation. Our experiments revealed that icilin (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg, i.m.) elicits a dose-related hyperthermia that is rapid in onset and of long duration. Pretreating rats with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective NO synthase inhibitor, attenuated the hyperthermia associated with icilin (7.5 mg/kg, i.m.). Pretreatment with (-)-6-[phosphonomethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-isoquinoline-2-carboxylate] (LY 235959) (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective NMDA receptor antagonist, also attenuated the icilin-evoked hyperthermia. The administration of icilin (5 and 100 microg) into the lateral cerebroventricle of rats did not affect body temperature, thus indicating a peripheral site of action. These results indicate that icilin, a TRPM8/TRPA1 agonist, produces a dose-related hyperthermia in rats which requires both NO production and NMDA receptor activation.

AM 404 inhibits endocannabinoid uptake and enhances the cannabinoid CB(1)-mediated effects of endogenous cannabinoids. Accumulating evidence also suggests that AM 404 acts at sites other than the endocannabinoid system. One site is the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 cation channel (TRPV1). A useful endpoint for discriminating between TRPV1- or CB(1)-mediated effects of AM 404 is hypothermia. This is because TRPV1 or CB(1) receptor activation produces a significant hypothermia in rats. The present study investigated the effects of AM 404 (1, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) on body temperature in rats and the involvement of TRPV1 and CB(1) receptors in the effects of AM 404. Doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg of AM 404 produced significant hypothermia. Pre-treatment with capsazepine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) blocked the hypothermia caused by 10 and 20 mg/kg of AM 404. Pre-treatment with SB 366791 (2 mg/kg, i.p.), a new TRPV1 antagonist, also abolished the hypothermia evoked by AM 404 (20 mg/kg, i.p.). In contrast, pre-treatment with SR 141716A (Rimonabant), a CB(1) antagonist, or AA-5-HT, a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) blocker, did not affect AM 404-evoked hypothermia. The present data demonstrate that AM 404 evokes a significant hypothermia in rats that is dependent on TRPV1 receptor activation.

Abstract: Numerous studies support a role for the endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system in the hypothermic effect of capsaicin. None of those studies, however, selectively delineate a role for 5-HT reuptake or 5-HT receptors in this regard. In the present investigation, we determined if the blockade of 5-HT reuptake or the activation of 5-HT1A or 5-HT2 receptors modulates capsaicin-evoked hypothermia. The administration of capsaicin (0.2–1mg/kg, i.m.) produced dose-related hypothermia. Fluoxetine (10mg/kg, i.p.), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), did not affect body temperature. For combined administration, pretreatment with fluoxetine (10mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated the hypothermia caused by capsaicin (0.5 and 1mg/kg, i.m.). For the 5-HT receptor experiments, we pretreated rats with either WAY 100635, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, or mianserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, and then administered a fixed, hypothermic dose of capsaicin (1mg/kg, i.m.). WAY 100635 (1mg/kg, s.c.) administration did not affect capsaicin-evoked hypothermia. This indicates that 5-HT1A receptor activation does not play a major role in the hypothermic effect of capsaicin. In contrast, pretreatment with mianserin (10mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the hypothermic effect of capsaicin (1mg/kg, i.m.). The present data reveal that capsaicin-evoked hypothermia in rats is attenuated by the blockade of 5-HT reuptake and enhanced by the antagonism of 5-HT2 receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study investigated the effect of a drug combination of capsaicin and l-NAME on hypothermia in rats. Capsaicin administration (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2mg/kg, i.m.) caused a significant hypothermia. l-NAME (50mg/kg, i.p.), a nonspecific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, was ineffective. For combined administration, progressively increasing doses of capsaicin (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2mg/kg, i.p.) were given with a non-hypothermic dose of l-NAME (50mg/kg, i.p.). Experiments revealed that l-NAME (50mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the hypothermic response to capsaicin (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2mg/kg, i.m.). Comparison of the graded dose–effect curves for capsaicin alone and capsaicin plus l-NAME revealed a significant difference (P <0.05), thus indicating synergy for the drug interaction. To determine if l-NAME acted centrally, a fixed dose of l-NAME (1mg/rat, i.c.v.) was given with graded doses of capsaicin (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2mg/kg, i.m.). l-NAME (1mg/rat, i.c.v.) only enhanced the hypothermia at a single dose of capsaicin (0.5mg/kg, i.m.). The super-additive hypothermia produced by the concurrent administration of capsaicin and l-NAME (50mg/kg, i.p.) is the first evidence of synergy for a drug combination of capsaicin and a NOS inhibitor. The synergy is apparent only when l-NAME is given systemically, thus indicating that the inhibition of peripheral NO production enhances the hypothermic response to capsaicin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study investigated a potential role for cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors in capsaicin-evoked hypothermia. Capsaicin (1 mg/kg, s.c.) caused rapid and significant hypothermia in rats. Pretreatment with SR 141716A (1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.), a CB1 antagonist, or SR 144528 (1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.), a CB2 antagonist, did not affect capsaicin-induced hypothermia. In separate experiments, the hypothermia caused by WIN 55212-2 (5 mg/kg, i.m.), a cannabinoid agonist, was not significantly altered by capsazepine (10 and 30 mg/kg, i.p.) or SB 366791 (2 mg/kg, i.p.), a novel TRPV1 antagonist. These data suggest that capsaicin causes hypothermia by a CB1- and CB2-independent mechanism, and that WIN 55212-2 causes hypothermia by a TRPV1-independent mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ICI 204448, a selective κ-opioid agonist with limited CNS access, can be used to discriminate central and peripheral opioid actions on physiological systems such as pain and thermoregulation. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ICI 204448 (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, s.c.) on male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to ambient temperatures of 5, 20, or 32°C. ICI 204448 did not alter the body temperature of rats maintained at 20 or 32°C. However, 5 and 10 mg/kg of ICI 204448 evoked significant hypothermia in rats exposed to 5°C. The i.c.v. administration of nor-BNI, a κ-opioid antagonist, did not affect the hypothermia produced by the systemic injection of ICI 204448. Thus, an involvement of brain κ-opioid receptors in ICI 204448-evoked hypothermia is unlikely. The present data demonstrate for the first time that ICI 204448 produces hypothermia in cold-exposed rats and suggest that the role of peripheral κ-opioid receptors in thermoregulation becomes more significant at cold ambient temperatures. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]