Bombesin, somatostatin, and related peptides: actions on thermoregulation

Bombesin acts within the anterior hypothalamic preoptic area to interfere with thermoregulation in the rat. The body temperature (Tb) of animals receiving bombesin varies in parallel with ambient temperature (Ta). Bombesin-induced reduction of Tb in animals at low Ta is associated with a marked reduction of oxygen consumption (VO2). Some somatostatin-related peptides, e.g., desAA 1,2,4,5,12,13 [D-Trp8]-somatostatin (ODT8-SS), act within the brain to prevent bombesin-induced reduction of VO2 and Tb. ODT8-SS also produces hyperthermia not associated with an increase in VO2.