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Role of brain monoamines in the fatal hyperthermia induced by pethidine or imipramine in rabbits pretreated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Author(s) -
GONG S. N. C.,
ROGERS K. J.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1973.tb08217.x
Subject(s) - pargyline , reserpine , monoamine oxidase , imipramine , pharmacology , monoamine neurotransmitter , endocrinology , pethidine , chemistry , medicine , serotonin , biochemistry , receptor , alternative medicine , pathology , analgesic , enzyme
Summary1 The intravenous infusion of pethidine or imipramine, in doses of 5 mg/kg , caused fatal hyperpyrexia in rabbits premedicated with pargyline. 2 The drug interaction was not antagonized when either reserpine or α‐methyl‐ p ‐tyrosine were administered with pargyline. Neither reserpine nor α‐methyl‐ p ‐tyrosine prevented the rise in brain stem 5‐hydroxytryptamine content following monoamine oxidase inhibition, although the increase in catecholamines normally produced by pargyline was prevented. 3 The development of fatal hyperthermia was completely prevented when rabbits were treated with p ‐chlorophenylalanine prior to pargyline premedication. In these animals, the concentration of brain stem catecholamines, but not 5‐hydroxytryptamine, was increased. 4 The results indicate that the hyperthermia evoked by pethidine or imipramine in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors can take place only in the presence of raised concentrations of 5‐hydroxytryptamine in the brain stem.