Huttunen P, Myers RD. Release of norepinephrine from the rat's hypothalamus perfused with alcohol: relation to body temperature.
Alcohol 1985;
2:683-91. [PMID:
4063063 DOI:
10.1016/0741-8329(85)90147-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The activity of norepinephrine (NE) within the thermosensitive region of the anterior hypothalamic, pre-optic area (AH/POA) of the rat was examined in relation to changes in core temperature produced by ethyl alcohol. Following stereotaxic implantation of push-pull guide tubes, a specific site in the AH/POA, reactive or non-reactive to NE, was labeled with 1.0 microliter of [3H]-NE. Alcohol in a concentration of 2.75% or 5.5% was then perfused locally at the same site by push-pull cannulae or administered peripherally in a dose of 2.0 g/kg. In control experiments, artificial CSF was perfused alone. The perfusion of alcohol enhanced or delayed the release of [3H]-NE in AH/POA or failed to alter the efflux of the catecholamine, with the specific response dependent principally on the: (1) anatomical site of hypothalamic perfusion, (2) concentration of alcohol, and (3) interval of perfusion itself. During the perfusion of alcohol within a very circumscribed region in the AH/POA, vasodilatation, as reflected by an increase in skin temperature, and a hypothermia of short latency, occurred. The change in core temperature was usually accompanied by a delay in the efflux of [3H]-NE. After the peripheral administration of 2.0 g/kg alcohol, an alteration in NE efflux from the AH/POA was also induced during the course of a hypothermic response accompanied by vasodilatation. These results suggest that alcohol exerts a direct central effect on nerve cells comprising the thermoregulatory mechanism located within the hypothalamus. Further, the well-known thermolytic effect of alcohol could be mediated in part by noradrenergic synapses within AH/POA, by means of their phasic release of NE.
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