Biomaterial Database

Hyperthermic effects of arachidonic acid, prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha in rats. 1978

J A Spławiński, and Z Górka, and E Zacny, and B Wojtaszek

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility that endotoxin fever in rats is mediated by arachidonic acid (AA) which in turn is converted to the active metabolites such as prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2alpha, thromboxane A2 (TxA2), or prostacyclin (PGI2). Evidence is presented indicating that PGE2 induces fever (not hyperthermia) by acting on the anterior hypothalamic preoptic area. Conversely, both PGF2alpha and AA produce mutually similar hyperthermia and there is no correlation between their microinjection sites in the diencephalon and the observed hyperthermic response. In addition, evidence is presented suggesting that involvement of other metabolites of AA, namely TxA2 and PGI2 in the mediation of endotoxin fever in rats seems unlikely. Only PGE2-induced fever is significantly similar, consistent with the parameters of this study, to endotoxin-induced fever in rats. AA-induced hyperthermia is probably brought about by increased levels of PGF2alpha or both PGF2alpha and PGE2 in the hypothalamus following AA injection. It seems highly unlikely that endotoxin produces fever in rats through the increased availability of free AA or through the activation of the PG endoperoxide synthetase in the hypothalamus. The mechanism by which endotoxin may increase PGF2 levels in the rat hypothalamus remains unknown.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007031	Hypothalamus	Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE.	Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D008297	Male		Males
D011453	Prostaglandins	A group of compounds derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase pathway. They are extremely potent mediators of a diverse group of physiological processes.	Prostaglandin,Prostanoid,Prostanoids
D011458	Prostaglandins E	(11 alpha,13E,15S)-11,15-Dihydroxy-9-oxoprost-13-en-1-oic acid (PGE(1)); (5Z,11 alpha,13E,15S)-11,15-dihydroxy-9-oxoprosta-5,13-dien-1-oic acid (PGE(2)); and (5Z,11 alpha,13E,15S,17Z)-11,15-dihydroxy-9-oxoprosta-5,13,17-trien-1-oic acid (PGE(3)). Three of the six naturally occurring prostaglandins. They are considered primary in that no one is derived from another in living organisms. Originally isolated from sheep seminal fluid and vesicles, they are found in many organs and tissues and play a major role in mediating various physiological activities.	PGE
D011460	Prostaglandins F	(9 alpha,11 alpha,13E,15S)-9,11,15-Trihydroxyprost-13-en-1-oic acid (PGF(1 alpha)); (5Z,9 alpha,11,alpha,13E,15S)-9,11,15-trihydroxyprosta-5,13-dien-1-oic acid (PGF(2 alpha)); (5Z,9 alpha,11 alpha,13E,15S,17Z)-9,11,15-trihydroxyprosta-5,13,17-trien-1-oic acid (PGF(3 alpha)). A family of prostaglandins that includes three of the six naturally occurring prostaglandins. All naturally occurring PGF have an alpha configuration at the 9-carbon position. They stimulate uterine and bronchial smooth muscle and are often used as oxytocics.	PGF
D011749	Pyrogens	Substances capable of increasing BODY TEMPERATURE and cause FEVER and may be used for FEVER THERAPY. They may be of microbial origin, often POLYSACCHARIDES, and may contaminate distilled water.	Pyrogen
D001931	Brain Mapping	Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures.	Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D004731	Endotoxins	Toxins closely associated with the living cytoplasm or cell wall of certain microorganisms, which do not readily diffuse into the culture medium, but are released upon lysis of the cells.	Endotoxin
D005334	Fever	An abnormal elevation of body temperature, usually as a result of a pathologic process.	Pyrexia,Fevers,Pyrexias