Effect of salicylates on elevation of body temperature during exercise

An attempt was made to determine the effect of orally ingested acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in moderate amounts for varying periods of time, on temperature response of ten healthy young men walking on a power-driven treadmill with a work load of approximately 6 mets. Three experiments were conducted, ranging from one dose of 1.8–2.4 g ASA to 3.6–4.8 g/day in divided doses for 48 hr, and the same amount in divided doses for 5–7 days, the dose in the first experiment and the last dose in those following being given 1frac12–2 hr before exercise. Rectal temperature was measured at rest, during exercise, and for 20–45 min of recovery. Blood levels of salicylate were determined, hematocrits were recorded, and total proteins were determined; each subject was weighed before and after exercise. It was found that rise in body temperature was not modified by ASA in any of the various dosages, nor was significant hemodilution of the blood caused. Suggestive, but not conclusive, evidence emerged indicating that salicylates accelerate the early stages of the fall in body temperature after exercise.

Submitted on October 5, 1961

THE EFFECT OF NORETHISTERONE ON ANTERIOR PITUITARY FUNCTION, STEROID METABOLISM AND BASAL TEMPERATURE IN MALES

The effects of 200 or 300 mg norethisterone oenanthate i. m. or of 20 mg norethisterone daily by mouth for 16 days on anterior pituitary function, steroid metabolism and on basal body temperature were investigated in five males without any demonstrable endocrine disturbance.

During a 7 day pre-treatment and a 14 day treatment period, the behaviour of basal body temperature, of oestrogens, Porter-Silber chromogen (PSC) and gonadotrophin excretion, was studied. In addition, an intravenous loading dose of corticotrophin was given once in the pretreatment and once in the treatment period. No definite effect on gonadotrophin and oestrogen excretion was established. Values of total PSC were practically identical, but the average value of free PSC in urine during the treatment period was significantly higher. An intravenous loading dose of corticotrophin also showed a significantly higher rise in plasma free PSC at this period.

The findings are briefly discussed with reference to the literature.