Further studies on prostaglandin E 1 fever in cats

Analogs of endoperoxide precursors of prostaglandins: failure to affect body temperature when injected into primary and secondary central temperature controls

It is known that central administration of prostaglandins of the E series has marked effects on body temperature. The purpose in the present experiments was to learn whether stable analogs of the cyclic endoperoxide precursors of PGE2, PGF2alpha and PGD2, injected into the primary temperature control in the preoptic/anterior (PO/AH) hypothalamic region and into a presumed secondary control in the medulla oblongata, can produce rises in body temperature similar to those caused by PGE2. Injection of the analogs U-44069 and U-46619 (1.0 and 2.0 microng) into the PO/AH region of the rat, where both PGE2 and PGE1 caused hyperthermia, had no effect on Tre. Likewise, injections into the medulla oblongata, in the region where PGE2 and PGE1 caused hypothermia, were ineffective in altering body temperature. That neurons important to the control of body temperature are selectively sensitive to PGE2 and not to analogs of prostaglandin precursors suggests that local cyclic endoperoxides can influence body temperature only through bioconversion to prostaglandin.

An extensive exploration of the rat brain for sites mediating prostaglandin-induced hyperthermia

Experiments designed to ascertain the site or sites within the brain where prostaglandins act to evoke hyperthermia were carried out. At an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C, microinjections of PGE1 (50-100 ng) or saline vehicle were made in restrained rats. The 272 sites tested formed a matrix encompassing much of the subcortical tissue rostral to the medulla. The sensitivity of each site to PGE1 was evaluated on the basis of the dose required to elicit a criterion level of effect and on the intensity of the effect evoked by a fixed dose. Injections of PGE1 into a sensitive site typically produced a rapidly developing, short lasting, monophasic rise in body temperature. Saline injected at these sites produced no initial hyperthermia. Almost all of the active sites were located within the anterior hypothalamic/preoptic region (AH/PO). The sites of greatest reactivity were found in the ventral aspect of the tissue lying between the anterior commissure and the optic chiasm. These data suggest that the AH/PO region is an important and probably the only supramedullary site of PGE1 action in the rat brain.

Cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate in cerebrospinal fluid during thermoregulation and fever

1. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.) have been taken from the cisterna magna of unanaesthetized cats, whilst rectal temperature was recorded, during exposure of the animals to various ambient temperatures and during fever induced by pyrogen. The concentration of adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in samples of c.s.f. has been assayed. 2. Cats exposed to low ambient temperatures (-2 to +2 degrees C) for 3 h maintained body temperature by both behavioural and autonomic heat gain activity. Exposure of cats to high ambient temperatures (44 - 45 degrees C) for 3.5 h caused a rise in body temperatures of about 2.5 degrees C, despite behavioural and autonomic heat loss activity. Neither cold nor heat stress had a significant effect on c.s.f. cyclic AMP. 3. Fever induced by intravenous Shigella dysenteriae (2 and 20 mug/kg) was associated with a dose-related increase in the concentration of cyclic AMP in c.s.f. Paracetamol (75 mg/kg) injected I.P. before the onset of fever, suppressed the increase in both temperature and c.s.f. cyclic AMP in response to pyrogen. Paracetamol (50 and 100 mg/kg), injected after the onset of fever, caused a fall in temperature, which was not associated with a decrease in the concentration of cyclic AMP in c.s.f. 4. Fever induced in cats by intravenous Shigella dysenteriae (20 mug/kg) was associated with an increase in the concentration of cyclic AMP in plasma as well as in c.s.f. 5. The sodium salt of cyclic AMP (0.1-10 mg/kg) injected I.V. into unanaesthetized cats caused a dose-related hypothermia, which was associated with autonomic heat loss activity and a dose-related increase in the concentration of cyclic AMP in cisternal c.s.f., which was not mimicked by adenosine. 6. It is concluded that the raised concentrations of cyclic AMP in c.s.f., in response to pyrogen I.V., do not mediate fever in the cat and that the concentration of cyclic AMP in cisternal c.s.f. may be affected by changes in the plasma concentration of the nucleotide.

A comparison of the central actions of prostaglandins A1, E1, E2, F1alpha, and F2alpha in the rat. II. The effect of intraventricular prostaglandins on the action of some drugs and on the level and turnover of biogenic amines in the rat brain

Prostaglandins (PGs) injected into the right lateral brain ventricle (i.v.c.) of the rat increased the sleeping time induced by hexobarbital, chloral hydrate, and ethanol. PGE1 and PGE2 intensified chlorpromazine-induced catalepsy, inhibited amphetamine hyperactivity, and significantly depressed the amphetamine-induced stereotypy. NA concentrations were decreased by PGE1 and PGE2 and were increased by PGF2alpha. PGF2alpha increased both 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in rat brain. "Total" ACh concentrations were increased by PGF1alpha and PGF2alpha. PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2alpha enhanced the turnover of NA, DA, and 5-HT. PGE2 counteracted the decreased activity induced by alpha-MT and abolished the hypothermic action of alpha-MT. PGF2alpha had little effect on the activity of PCPA pretreated rats, whereas the higher doses of PGF2alpha increased body temperature in these animals.

A comparison of the central actions of prostaglandins A1, E1, E2, F1alpha, and F2alpha in the rat. I. Behavioral, antinociceptive and anticonvulsant actions of intraventricular prostaglandins in the rat

The effect of prostaglandins (PGs) A1, E1, E2, F1alpha, and F2alpha administered intraventricularly at doses of 0.02--4.0 mug/rat were studied in some behavioral, antinociceptive and anticonvulsant tests in rats. Exploratory and locomotor activity were decreased by all PGs except A1 and F2alpha which had no effect on locomotor activity. All PGs studied, except A1, induced hyperthermia and afforded protection in the 'hot-plate' analgesic test and against maximal electro-shock seizures.

Evidence that brain prostaglandin synthesis is not essential in fever

1. We have tested the hypothesis that a fever caused by pyrogen depends upon the synthesis of prostaglandin E in the brain and that the prostaglandin in turn acts on the hypothalamus to produce fever. 2. In rabbits, fever was produced by the injection of leucocyte pyrogen in a lateral cerebral ventricle. The latency, rate of rise and magnitude of the fever was unaffected by the simultaneous intraventricular injection of two prostaglandin antagonists, SC 19220 and HR 546. 3. Both antagonists effectively attenuated the fever caused by the intraventricular injection of prostaglandin E2. 4. This evidence is not consistent with the hypothesis that prostaglandin E is the principal mediator of fever.

A dissociation between fever and prostaglandin concentration in cerebrospinal fluid

1. Sustained fever has been induced in conscious rabbits by I.V. injection and infusion of endogenous pyrogen. 2. Cerebrospinal fluid (e.s.f.) was sampled from the cisterna magna at hourly intervals. The concentration of prostaglandin increased in parallel with rectal temperature. The prostaglandin was identified as one of the E series. 3. When sodium salicylate (1-5 m-mole followed by a continuous infusion of 9 mumole/min) was started 1 hr before endogenous pyrogen, the febrile response to the pyrogen was not significantly diminished but no rise of prostaglandin concentration was detected in c.s.f. 4. This dissociation between fever and prostaglandin concentration means that changes in cisternal prostaglandin concentration cannot be accepted as evidence that prostaglandin mediates the febrile response.

Prostaglandins, endotoxin and lipid A on body temperature in rats

1. In unanaesthetized restrained rats kept at an ambient temperature of 21-23degrees C, rectal temperature was continuously monitored and the temperature effects of injections of prostaglandins, endotoxin from Salmonella abortus equi, lipid A, and antipyretics were examined. 2. Fever occurred when prostaglandin E1, E2, F1alpha or F2alpha (PGE1, PGE2, PGF1alpha, PGF2alpha) was injected into the cerebral ventricles in doses of 200 ng and 2 mug. PGE2 was the most potent prostaglandin followed in descending order by PGE1, PGF2alpha, and PGF1alpha. The fever produced by 2 mug of PGE1 and PGE2 was short and followed by a fall in temperature to below the pre-injection level. 3. I.V. injections of endotoxin and lipid A in doses of 3 or 10 mug usually caused a long lasting fall in temperature, but when injected into the cerebral ventricles in doses of 400 ng or 1 mug, they produced long lasting fevers. 4. Injected I.V. or I.P., indomethacin and paracetamol had a hypothermic action of their own. Indomethacin was more potent than paracetamol and both were more potent than injected I.P. 5. I.V. and I.P. injections of indomethacin and paracetamol did not reverse the hypothermia in response to I.V. endotoxin or lipid A, but the fever responses to their injection into the cerebral ventricles were prevented and abolished by the antipyretics. 6. It is concluded that in rats endotoxin and lipid A, or the endogenous pyrogens produced by them, do not readily pass through the blood-brain barrier into the brain tissue. If they do reach brain tissue, as when injected into the cerebral ventricles, they stimulate synthesis and release of prostaglandin in rats as they do in other species, and thereby produce fever. The hypothermia in response to I.V. endotoxin or lipid A, on the other hand, is thought to be independent of prostaglandin synthesis and to result from a direct toxic action on the skin vessels.

Is brain prostaglandin synthesis involved in responses to cold?

1. Experiments with rats have suggested that prostaglandin synthesis in the C.N.S. may mediate thermoregulatory reactions to cold. This possibility was investigated in cats using two types of experiment. 2. In one series of experiments, c.s.f. collected from the cisterna magna of conscious cats exposed to a cold and a hot environment was assayed for prostaglandin-like activity. During cold exposure there was a slight increase in activity which persisted after return to neutral ambient temperature. There was no correlation between prostaglandin-like activity and rectal temperature. During the heat exposure there was no demonstrable change in activity. 3. In the second series, conscious cats were exposed to cold conditions and given intravenous injections of salicylate, paracetamol, or indomethacin, all of which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. Indomethacin salicylate nor paracetamol caused any significant change in rectal temperature. 4. The results do not support a role for C.N.S. prostaglandin synthesis in thermoregulatory reactions to cold in cats.

Effects on body temperature produced by micro-injection of prostaglandin into the third cerebral ventricle of the chicken

Hens injected with 1-2 mug. of either prostaglandin E1 or F1 alpha into the third cerebral ventrical had significantly higher (P LESS than .05 at 60 and 90 minutes post injection) rectal temperatures (0.4 degrees C.) as compared to uninjected control hens. Those injected with 0.9% saline had significantly lower (P less than .05 at 60 and 90 minutes post injection) rectal temperatures (0.2 degrees C.) than hens injected with prostaglandin.

Behavioural and autonomic induction of prostaglandin E-1 fever in squirrel monkeys

1. Prostaglandins E1 (PGE1) was injected into the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic (PO/AH) area of the squirrel monkey. 2. Increases in rectal temperature (Tre) produced by PGE1 injections of 20 ng to 500 ng were dose-dependent. 3. When ambient temperature (Ta) was below the thermoneutral zone, increases in Tre were produced entirely by increases in metabolic rate. With Ta at the upper end of the thermoneutral zone, increases in Tre were produced by vasoconstriction in addition to lesser increases in metabolic rate. 4. During sessions of behavioural temperature regulation, PGE1 injections were followed by the selection of a higher Ta, increased skin temperature and subsequent increases in Tre. 5. PGE1 injections produce dose-dependent increases in Tre which are similar regardless of ambient temperature or whether behavioural or autonomic means are utilized to raise the heat content of the body.

Fever produced by endotoxin injected into the hypothalamus of the monkey and its antagonism by salicylate

1. A suspension of the killed cell bodies of either E. coli, S. dysenteriae or S. typhosa was micro-injected through cannulae implanted chronically at specific sites within the diencephalon and mid-brain of the unanaesthetized monkey. A biphasic, monophasic or an undifferentiated fever could be induced by each type of micro-organism, but the type of response depended solely upon the locus of injection.2. Although little difference in the potency of the three pyrogens was found, the rise in body temperature was in each instance dependent upon the concentration of the endotoxin. A more intense fever was accompanied by shivering, vasoconstriction of the ear vessels, piloerection and huddling behaviour. Tolerance to the pyrexic effect of repeated injections of endotoxin did not develop.3. The febrile response having the shortest latency, greatest maximum rise in temperature and largest 10-hr fever index was evoked by micro-injections into the anterior hypothalamic, preoptic area. The incidence of biphasic fevers was also greater after endotoxin was injected into this same region. Endotoxin given similarly in the posterior hypothalamus or in the mesencephalon had either no effect or produced a smaller elevation in temperature after a longer latency. The distance of an injection site from the coronal plane formed by the optic chiasm and anterior commissure correlated significantly with the latency and magnitude of the temperature change as well as the fever index.4. When given intravenously, endotoxin in a quantity at least 100 times greater was required to evoke a fever similar to that produced when the pyrogen was micro-injected into the anterior hypothalamic, preoptic region. However, a biphasic fever was evoked with a latency of from 3 to 15 min when a larger amount of endotoxin was injected intravenously. Tolerance developed rapidly to the febrile effect of endotoxin administered by this route although toxic reactions were not observed.5. After the fever evoked by the hypothalamic injection of endotoxin had reached a plateau, 300-1200 mg sodium salicylate administered intragastrically produced a dose-dependent fall in temperature, but had no effect on the body temperature of an afebrile monkey.6. It is concluded that in the rhesus monkey, a bacterial pyrogen can evoke a fever which is mediated entirely by an action on the central nervous system, the principal site being the anterior hypothalamic, preoptic area. The first phase of a biphasic fever caused by bacteria acting either by the central or peripheral route seems to be due either to a direct action of the pyrogen on the cells of the anterior hypothalamus, or to the secondary release within this region of an intermediary thermogenic substance such as 5-hydroxytryptamine or prostaglandin. The finding that sodium salicylate counteracts a centrally evoked fever is not compatible with the hypothesis that an antipyretic exerts its action by preventing a pyrogen that is circulating in the blood stream from entering the central nervous system.

Analysis of the effects on body temperature of intracerebroventricular injection in anaesthetized dogs of gamma-aminobutyric acid

1 The cerebral ventricles of dogs under intravenous pentobarbitone sodium anaesthesia, were perfused with artificial cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) at a rate of 0.4-0.5 ml/min from the ventricular to the aqueductal cannulae. The effluent was collected from the aqueductal cannula in 20 min samples. The animals' temperatures were recorded from the rectum.2 gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) 0.1-5 mg when injected into the ventricles produced variable temperature effects. Doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mg always produced hyperthermia and 1 and 5 mg doses sometimes produced hyperthermia and sometimes hypothermia.3 Intraventricular perfusion with 2-bromolysergic acid diethylamide (BOL) and hyoscine did not block hyperthermia. Tests on the rat isolated stomach strip or the guinea-pig isolated superfused ileum for the possible release, respectively, of 5-hydroxytryptamine or acetylcholine by GABA were negative.4 When tested for the presence of prostaglandin E(PGE)-like substances on the isolated rat stomach strip, both the control effluent and the GABA effluent showed activity, the latter being much more potent. There was a temporal correlation between this effect and hyperthermia. Intraventricularly administered sodium salicylate converted the GABA-induced hyperthermia to hypothermia and blocked the release of PGE-like substances.5 Hypothermia induced by GABA alone or in the presence of sodium salicylate was associated with the release of noradrenaline into the effluent.6 Intraventricular administration of GABA in reserpinized dogs produced hyperthermia and not hypothermia. Similar results were obtained with phentolamine perfusion in normal dogs.7 Perfusion with calcium-free solution blocked both the noradrenaline-releasing and hypothermic actions of GABA.8 It is concluded that hyperthermia associated with intraventricular injections of GABA is due to the release of PGE-like substance and hypothermia is due to the release of noradrenaline.

Prosaglandin E1 fever induced in rabbits

1. Micro-injections of prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) into the anterior hypothalamus of the rabbit produced fever which was nearly immediate in onset. The prostaglandin sensitive region appears to be identical to that described as being fever sensitive to leucocytic pyrogen.2. Micro-injections of PGE(1) into the posterior hypothalamus and midbrain reticular formation of the rabbit did not produce fever.3. The febrile response to PGE(1) injected into the anterior hypothalamus was dose dependent over a range of 20-1000 ng.4. Ambient temperature influenced the thermoregulatory mechanism by which PGE(1) fever evolved. In the cold, PGE(1) fever was due to increased heat production while during heat exposure both evaporative and dry heat losses were reduced without significant changes in heat production. Vasoconstriction, confined mainly to the ears, was effective in producing fever in standard room environments (24-25 degrees C) along with a small increase in heat production.5. The preoptic anterior hypothalamic area retained its thermosensitivity during PGE(1) fever; heating this area attenuated, while cooling augmented the fever.6. The results support the view that PGE(1) is a mediator of pyrogen induced fever.

Pyrogen fever and prostaglandin-like activity in cerebrospinal fluid

1. In the unanaesthetized cat, rectal temperature was recorded and c.s.f. was collected from a Collison cannula implanted into the third ventricle with its opening lying in close proximity to the anterior hypothalamus. Samples of c.s.f. were collected from the same cat, during normal temperature, during fever produced by Shigella dysenteriae injected into the third ventricle and during the fall in temperature which occurred when the antipyretic paracetamol was injected intraperitoneally during the pyrogen fever.2. The samples of c.s.f., when tested on the rat stomach fundus preparation, caused contractions which were not due, or at most to a small degree only, to 5-hydroxytryptamine, as they were resistant to BOL. They were therefore probably due to a prostaglandin-like substance.3. When assayed against PGE(1), the activity of c.s.f. collected from cats when their body temperature was normal corresponded to between 1.3 and 10 ng/ml. The values, whether low or high, rose over 2.5-4 times to between 4 and 35 ng/ml. in c.s.f. collected during pyrogen fever; they were again low, between 1.5 and 6 ng/ml., in samples collected when the fever had been brought down by paracetamol, but rose again with the return of fever.4. The results provide direct evidence for the theory that fever produced by pyrogens results from their ability to increase synthesis and release of prostaglandins, and that antipyretics bring down the fever because they inhibit the increased synthesis.