Role of adrenals in morphine-induced hyperthermia in restrained rats

Role of adrenals in morphine-induced hyperthermia was studied in normal, neurotransmitter antagonist-pretreated, chemical-sympathectomized, adrenalectomized or adrenal-demedullated rats. In restrained female rats, 5 mg/kg morphine produced hyperthermia whereas 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg produced hypothermia. Pretreatment with either phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, pentolinium or scopolamine inhibited the hyperthermia. After adrenalectomy, neither 5 mg/kg nor chronic administration of 20 mg/kg morphine produced previously demonstrated hyperthermia. After adrenal-demedullation, a dose of 5 mg/kg morphine also did not produce hyperthermia. In contrast to female rats, restrained male rats showed no significant effect on body temperature after 5 mg/kg morphine, requiring 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg morphine to produce hyperthermia. In adrenalectomized male rats, 20 mg/kg morphine did not produce the usual hyperthermia. The results suggest that male rats are more resistant to the hyperthermic effects of morphine than female rats and that in the rat, the adrenals, likely the medulla, play an important role in morphine-induced hyperthermia.     

Hypothalamic cardiovascular effects of angiotensin-(1-7) in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The objective of the present work was to study the cardiovascular actions of the intrahypothalamic injection of Ang-(1-7) and its effects on the pressor response to Ang II in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) animals. In anaesthetized SH and WKY rats, a carotid artery was cannulated for mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurement and a stainless-steel needle was inserted into the anterior hypothalamus for drug administration. The cardiovascular effects of the intrahypothalamic administration of Ang-(1-7) were determined in SH and WKY rats. In SH rats, the effect of irbesartan and D-Ala-Ang-(1-7) on Ang-(1-7) cardiovascular effect was also evaluated. Ang II was administered in the hypothalamus of SH and WKY rats and changes in blood pressure and heart rate were measured followed by the administration of Ang II, Ang II+Ang-(1-7) or Ang II+D-Ala-Ang-(1-7). Ang-(1-7) did not the change basal MAP in WKY rats, but induced a pressor response in SH animals. Whilst the co-administration of D-Ala-Ang-(1-7) did not affect the response to Ang-(1-7), the previous administration of irbesartan prevented the effect of the peptide. The intrahypothalamic injection of Ang II induced a significantly greater pressor response in SH animals compared to normotensive rats. The co-administration of Ang-(1-7) with Ang II did not affect the pressor response to Ang II in the WKY group. In SH rats, whilst the co-administration of Ang-(1-7) with Ang II reduced the pressor response to Ang II, the concomitant application of D-Ala-Ang-(1-7) with Ang II increased the pressor response to the octapeptide after 5 and 10 min of intrahypothalamic administration. In conclusion, our result demonstrated that the biologically active peptide Ang-(1-7) did not participate in the hypothalamic blood pressure regulation of WKY animals. In SH rats, Ang-(1-7) exerted pleiotropic effects on blood pressure regulation. High dose of the heptapeptide produced a pressor response because of an unspecific action by activation of AT1 receptors. The concomitant administration of lower doses of Ang-(1-7) with Ang II reduced the pressor response to the octapeptide. Finally, the effect of AT(1-7) antagonist on Ang II pressor response suggested that hypothalamic formed Ang-(1-7) are implicated in the regulation of the cardiovascular effects of Ang II.     

Brain somatostatin receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats: an autoradiographic study.

The apparent densities of brain somatostatin (SRIF) receptor sites were compared in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SH) and their normotensive genetic counterparts (Wistar-Kyoto; WKY) using quantitative receptor autoradiography. Globally, the distribution of brain [125I][Tyr0, D-Trp8]SRIF14 binding sites was very similar in both strains. However, apparent densities of specific labeling were either higher (subfornical organ, 3.2 x; locus coeruleus, 1.9 x; lateroanterior hypothalamic nucleus, 1.3 x) or lower (basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, 0.8 x; spinal trigeminal sensory nucleus, 0.6 x) in SH than WKY rats in areas especially relevant to CNS cardiovascular integration. This provides further evidence for the possible involvement of brain SRIF neurons in cardiovascular regulation.     

Potentiation of morphine analgesia by BQ123, an endothelin antagonist

Several neurotransmitter mechanisms have been proposed to play a role in the actions of morphine. The present study is the first to provide evidence that central endothelin (ET) mechanisms are involved in the modulation of pharmacological actions of morphine. The effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of endothelin-A (ET(A)) antagonist, BQ123, on morphine-induced analgesia, hyperthermia, and catalepsy was determined in the rat. Morphine produced a significant increase in tail-flick latency as compared to control group. Pretreatment with BQ123 significantly potentiated the effect and duration of morphine (2 and 8 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced analgesia as compared to vehicle-pretreated control rats. The hyperthermic effect of morphine was not only significantly greater in BQ123-pretreated rats but also lasted for more than 6 h. ET antagonist, BQ123, did not affect the pharmacological effect of morphine on cataleptic behavior. These studies demonstrate that BQ123, a specific ET(A) receptor antagonist, significantly potentiated morphine-induced analgesia and hyperthermia in rats without affecting morphine-induced cataleptic behavior. [(3)H]-Naloxone binding was carried out to determine the possibility of BQ123 acting on opiate receptors. It was found that morphine could displace [(3)H]-naloxone but BQ123 did not affect [(3)H]-naloxone binding even at 1,000 nM concentration. Therefore, it can be concluded that BQ123 does not act on opioid receptors. This is the first report suggesting that an ET(A) antagonist, BQ123, significantly potentiates the analgesic effect of morphine, possibly through a nonopioid mechanism.     

Alleviation of narcotic withdrawal syndrome by conditional stimuli.

We systematically paired auditory, olfactory, and social stimuli with each injection of morphine in rats. We found that, when morphine was kept constant at a low dose, the external stimuli acquired the property of a conditional stimulus (CS) to cause hyperthermia which was antagonized by naloxone. In rats in which morphine doses were regularly increased to cause morphine dependence, the CS presented during withdrawal, caused reduction in withdrawal signs (wet shakes, hypothermia, aggression) and produced hyperglycemia as well as elevation of striatal homovanillic acid. CS-induced alleviation of withdrawal hypothermia was blocked by mecamylamine, phenoxybenzamine, haloperidol, benztropine or naloxone but not by cyproheptadine or propranolol.     

Puberty and ovulatory release of gonadotropins in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The age at vaginal opening, estrous cyclicity, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL) on the day of proestrus, and number of ova and ovarian weight as measured on the day of estrus in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and genetically matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) female rats were compared. In SH rats, there was a significant delay in the vaginal opening, but the regular 4-day estrous cycle followed afterwards. No significant changes were observed in the afternoon increase in serum LH, FSH and PRL on the day of proestrus in SH and WKY rats, although the basal levels of LH and PRL in the morning (11:00 h) were lower in SH rats than in WKY rats. The mean number of ova in SH rats was also less than in WKY rats, whereas the ovarian relative weight was similar in both species of rats. It can be said that SH rats undergo certain, but not critical, endocrine and/or neuroendocrine changes related to reproduction.     

The effects of morphine and various narcotic antagonist type analgesics on body temperature in rats

ED50s were determined for morphine, nalorphine, butorphanol and pentazocine induced hyperthermia in rats. Morphine produced a significant hyperthermia with the doses of 5–160 mg.kg in rats. The peak hyperthermic effect was found 1 hr after 5–20 mg/kg doses of morphine. Nalorphine, butorphanol and pentazocine produced biphasic effects on rectal temperature. Initially they produced a dose-dependent hyperthermia and later hypothermia. In a comparison of the hyperthermic ED50's of morphine, nalorphine, butorphanol and pentazocine it was found that butorphanol is more active than the others (ED50s were 4.7, 4.3, 0.54 and 11.5 mg/kg respectively). The narcotic antagonist naloxone significantly inhibited both morphine and antagonist type analgesic induced hyperthermia. These results suggests that a different mechanism(s) is involved in the hyperthermic actions of antagonist type analgesics and agonist drugs.     

α1-Adrenergic Receptors in Neuronal Cultures from Rat Brain: Increased Expression in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

Neuronal cells in primary culture from 1-day-old brains of normotensive, Wistar-Kyoto strain (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats have been utilized to study the expression of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Binding of a selective alpha 1 antagonist, [125I]2-[beta-(4-hydroxy-3-iodophenyl)-ethylaminomethyl]-tetralone ([125I]HEAT) to neuronal membranes prepared from primary brain cultures of WKY and SH rats was 75-80% specific, rapid, and time-dependent although the binding was 1.5-2 times higher in neuronal membranes from SH rat brain cultures. Kinetic analysis of the association and dissociation data demonstrated no significant differences between rat strains. Competition-inhibition experiments provided IC50 values for various antagonists and agonists in the following order: prazosin less than phentolamine less than yohimbine less than phenylephrine less than norepinephrine less than propranolol, suggesting that [125I]HEAT bound selectively to alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Scatchard analysis of the binding data provided straight lines for both strains of rats, indicating the presence of a homogeneous population of binding sites. It also showed that the increase in the binding in neuronal cells from SH rat brains over those from normotensive WKY controls was a result of an increase in the number of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Incubation of neuronal cultures from both strains of rats with phenylephrine, an alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease in the binding of [125I]HEAT. This decrease was due to a decrease in the number of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Diminished brain synaptic plasma membrane ca2+-atpase activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats: Association with reduced anesthetic requirements

We have recently reported that plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase ( PMCA) pumping activity in rat brain synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) was reduced by in vitro or prior in vivo exposure to inhalation anesthetics (IA). In addition, rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes were found to have diminished brain synaptic PMCA pumping and a decrease in the partial pressures of several IA required to prevent movement in response to stimulation, defined as the minimum effective dose or MED. Diminished PMCA activity in erythrocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) has been noted. Because PMCA is ubiquitous, it seemed possible that PMCA pumping might be decreased in the brain of SHR and perhaps associated with decreased IA requirement. Eighteen SHR and 18 control, normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were studied. PMCA activity was assessed by measurement of Ca²⁺ uptake into synaptic plasma membrane vesicles prepared from cerebrum and diencephalon-mesencephalon (D-M) in WKY and SHR. Ca²⁺ pumping was significantly less in SHR than in WKY, 85% of control in the cerebrum and 90% in the D-M (p < 0.01). The MEDs for halothane, isoflurane and desflurane were also lower in SHR than in WKY, 91%, 90% and 89%, respectively, of control (p < 0.05). Thus, an animal model of primary hypertension (SHR) manifested diminished brain synaptic PMCA activity and reduced MED for several volatile anesthetics. These findings provide further evidence for a role for PMCA in anesthetic action.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (kinase II) in pituitary gland of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (kinase II; dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase, EC 3.4.15.1) activity was measured in pituitary gland of young (4-week-old) and adult (18-week-old) male, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and in age-matched normotensive male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats. In the three lobes of the pituitary gland ACE activity was significantly higher in young than in adult animals, in both SH and WKY rats. In the anterior lobe, ACE activity was lower in SHR when compared to age-matched Wistar-Kyoto controls. In contrast, ACE activity in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland was higher in SHR, and in particular in young animals. The observed differences between young WKY and SH rats in both the intermediate and anterior lobes did not appear to be due to a modified affinity of ACE for the substrate hippuryl-His-Leu, but to alterations in ACE maximal velocity or number of available molecules. No differences in ACE activity were detected between SHR and WKY rats in the posterior lobe. Total protein content was higher in the intermediate lobe and lower in the posterior lobe of young SHR when compared to normotensive controls. The present results suggest the possibility for a role of pituitary ACE in spontaneous (genetic) hypertension in rats.     

Interaction between the effects of stress and morphine on body temperature in rats

The relation between stress-induced and morphine-induced body temperature changes was examined in rats. Three groups of eight animals thoroughly habituated to handling and rectal probing, and three groups of eight experimentally naive animals were injected intraperitoneally with either 1, 5, or 30 mg/kg morphine sulphate on each of six consecutive days. Differences in temperature readings from the pre-injection baseline showed that on Day 1 of the experiment stress acted to effectively increase the potency of morphine, causing slightly increased hyperthermia at the lowest dose and greatly increased hypothermia at the highest dose. Thus for habituated animals the dose-response curve for morphine was shifted to the right. By Day 6, after repeated morphine injections, all animals showed a hyperthermic response to morphine and the differences between habituated and unhabituated animals had disappeared. These findings were discussed in terms of the interaction between the temperature changes produced by endogenous opioids in stressed animals and the actions of exogenously administered morphine.     

Body development and puberty in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The body growth and the onset of puberty in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and in normotensive controls (WKY) have been studied. In female rats the onset of puberty was determined by both the age and the body weight at which the vaginal opening and first estrus appeared, as well as the ability of estradiol and progesterone to induce pituitary LH release. For this purpose females were injected with estradiol benzoate (0.1 mg/kg) and progesterone (1 mg/rat). Control animals received only oil vehicle. In male rats, puberty was assessed by studying the age and body weight at the time of balano-preputial separation. In another experiment, SH and WKY rats were decapitated on day 30 to determine FSH, LH, PRL, GH and testosterone plasma levels in males and FSH and LH in females. The results obtained show: a) A greater body weight, at all the ages studied (every 4 days between days 28 and 92) in SHR animals. b) A delay in vaginal opening and first estrus presentation in SHR females. c) Absence of spontaneous LH peaks in WKY females. d) Advancement in balano-preputial separation in SHR males and e) Higher plasma FSH levels in SHR males than in WKY males, without differences in other hormones.     

Pressor responsiveness to vasopressin in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The present study was designed to find out whether pressor responsiveness to vasopressin (AVP) is altered in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in comparison with their normotensive controls (WKY). Blood pressure and heart rate changes after injection of graded doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ng of AVP (Calbiochem) i.v. were compared in 9 conscious, unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and 11 normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, chronically instrumented with venous and arterial catheters. The threshold dose necessary to elicit a significant increase in blood pressure and reduction of heart rate was lower in WKY than in SHR. At each dose level the blood pressure elevation persisted for a longer period in WKY than in SHR. Bradycardia was greater in WKY than in SHR both in absolute terms and in relation to the blood pressure increase. Thus, the results reveal diminished pressor responsiveness to moderate doses of AVP in SHR in spite of suppressed reflex bradycardia. It is suggested that the peripheral action of AVP on the vascular system is attenuated in SHR.     

Endogenous opioids and opiate antagonists modulate the blood pressure of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Endogenous opioids have been implicated as modulators of the central nervous system regulation of blood pressure and heart rate. Whether these neuropeptides participate in blood pressure regulation in hypertension is unknown. To begin to study this question, we examined the response to opiate antagonists and agonists in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. The long-acting opiate antagonist naltrexone, 2.5 micrograms/kg, was injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain in awake, freely-moving SHR and produced a significant 19 mmHg decrease in mean arterial blood pressure compared to basal blood pressure (p less than 0.01); a decrease was not observed at a two logarithm lower dose. In contrast, naltrexone had no effect on the blood pressure of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. To evaluate a possible regulatory role for the predominantly kappa receptor active opioids, alpha- and beta-neo-endorphin, 10 micrograms each, was administered to SHR on separate days by intracerebroventricular injection. alpha- and beta-neo-endorphin caused significant decreases in mean arterial blood pressure of 11 and 9 mmHg respectively, effects reversed by pre-treatment with the opiate antagonist, naloxone. Heart rate was unaffected by any of the injected opioids or antagonists. Our naltrexone results support the hypothesis that an endogenous opioid(s) contributes to the hypertensive state of the SHR. Additionally, alpha- and beta-neo-endorphin can lower blood pressure in this model.     

Estradiol increases salt intake in female normotensive and hypertensive rats.

The objective of this study was to examine whether or not estradiol (E2) alters sodium intake in hypertensive and normotensive female rats. It was hypothesized that higher doses of E2 would increase sodium consumption and that this response would be greater in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. The study involved female SHR and WKY (n = 12/group). All animals were ovariectomized. Six of twelve rats from each strain received three progressively larger doses of beta-estradiol propionate (each dose lasting 2 wk), whereas the other six rats from each strain received sham implants. Blood E2 levels were measured by radioimmunoassay after each 2-wk period, allowing a 10-day washout period before the next E2 dose. Rats had access to 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% NaCl solutions to drink throughout the experiment. There was a significant positive correlation between sodium intake and plasma E2 (r = 0.8, P < 0.001). Both strains avoided the 1.5% NaCl, and the increased sodium intake was achieved by an increase in consumption of the 0.5% NaCl. SHR females consumed more sodium than WKY females, which is similar to what has been observed in males of these strains. In conclusion, E2 was positively correlated with sodium intake in both strains of rat, with the hypertensive rats consuming more sodium than the normotensive rats.     

延髓弧束核微量注射可乐宁对自发性高血压大鼠...

In order to study whether atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is involved in the depressor effect of clonidine, microinjection of the latter into nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) was carried out in anesthetized stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsp) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Each strain was randomly divided into three groups by injecting: (1) clonidine (1.0 microgram/0.2 microliter); (2) yohimbine (3.3 micrograms/0.2 microliter) followed by (1); (3) artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF, 0.2 microliter) as control. A decrease of blood pressure and heart rate and a suppression of ANF release elicited by clonidine were significantly greater in SHRsp than in WKY rats. After blockade of alpha 2-receptor with yohimbine, the hypotensive effect of clonidine was blocked completely in WKY rats, but only partially in SHRsp, while the suppression effect on ANF release was eliminated in both strains. In addition, the decrease of plasma catecholamine produced by clonidine could also be blocked after yohimbine. The results suggest that ANF probably does not contribute to the depressor effect of centrally administered clonidine, while in SHRsp the decrease of plasma ANF might be a blood pressure-dependent compensatory response.     

Structure activity relationship studies with hypothalamic peptide hormones. II. Effects of thyrotropin releasing hormone analogs on morphine-induced responses in mice

The effects of several analogs of thyroliberin (TRH), that have a chloro-acetyl substituent at the amino terminus, on locomotor depressant, locomotor stimulant, hyperthermic and hypothermic response to morphine were determined in the mouse. These compounds included N-(chloroacetyl)-L-phenylalanylpyrrolidine (ClAc-Phe-Pyrr), N-[m-(chloroacetyl)benzoyl]-L-phenylalanylpyrrolidine] (mClAcBz-Phe-Pyrr), N-[m-(chloroacetyl)benzoyl]-L-alanyl-L-phenylalanylpyrrolidine (mClAcBz-Ala-Phe-Pyrr), N-[p-(chloroacetyl)benzoyl]-L-alanyl-L-phenylalanyl-pyrrolidine (pClAcBz-Ala-Phe-Pyrr), N-(chloroacytyl)-L-alanyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-prolineamide(ClAc-Ala-Phe-Pro-NH₂), N-[m-(chloroacetyl)-benzoyl]-L-phenylalanyl-L-prolineamide (mClAcBz-Phe-Pro-NH₂), N-[p-(chloroacetyl)benzoyl]-L-phenylalanyl-L-prolineamide (pClAcBz-Phe-Pro-NH₂). Since TRH is metabolized to cyclo (His-Pro) and the latter is shown to possess TRH like activity, an analog cyclo (Phe-Pro) was also used. Administration of morphine to mice at 10 mg/kg ip produced hyperthermia and depression in locomotor activity, while at 80 mg/kg ip, hypothermia and stimulation in locomotor activity were observed. Intracerebral injection of the following peptides (10 μg each per mouse) administered 10 min prior to morphine injection antagonized locomotor depression, hyperthermia, locomotor stimulation and hypothermia induced by an appropriate dose of morphine: mClAcBz-Phe-Pyrr, pClAcBz-Ala-Phe-Pyrr, ClAcAla-Phe-Pro-NH₂, pClAcBz-Phe-Pro-NH₂, cyclo (Phe-Pro) and TRH. The compounds which had no effect on low dose or high dose morphine induced responses included pGlu-Phe-Pyrr, mClAcBz-Ala-Phe-Pyrr, and mClAcBz-Phe-Pro-NH₂. One compound, namely ClAc-Phe-Pyrr, antagonized morphine-induced locomotor stimulation and hypothermia but did not affect locomotor depression and hyperthermia produced by morphine. None of these peptides had any effect on the body temperature or the locomotor activity of normal mice. Many of the active compounds were previously shown to possess extremely weak or no activity in releasing thyrotropin from the pituitary. It is concluded that several of these analogs of TRH possess CNS activity in antagonizing morphine effects, and that a lack of relationship exists between the CNS and endocrine activity of these peptides.     

Characterization of alpha-adrenoceptors involved in central thermoregulation in rabbits

Intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of methyldopa induced body temperature changes in the rabbits. The dose of 100 micrograms/kg did not produce any significant change on body temperature whereas 250 micrograms/kg of the drug induced hyperthermia. Higher dose of 500 micrograms/kg produced initial hypothermia which was followed by hyperthermia. On further increase of the dose to 1 mg/kg, consistent hypothermia was evident. Prazosin, a specific post-synaptic alpha 1 adrenoceptor blocker, induced hypothermia whereas piperoxan (presynaptic alpha 2 antagonist) produced hyperthermia. The pretreatment with prazosin, blocked the hyperthermic response of methyldopa. The initial hypothermia by 500 micrograms/kg of methyldopa was also potentiated. The pretreatment with piperoxan completely blocked the hypothermia but had no effect on hyperthermic response of methyldopa. Pretreatment of rabbits with both prazosin and piperoxan completely blocked the hypothermia as well as hyperthermic response of methyldopa. Thus it appeared that both presynaptic alpha 2 and postsynaptic alpha 1 adrenoceptors are involved in central thermoregulation in rabbits.