Premium
The mechanism of the pyrogenic effect of streptococcus cell wall mucopeptide
Author(s) -
Mašek K.,
Rašková Helena,
Rotta J.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.1968.sp008610
Subject(s) - reserpine , chemistry , 5 hydroxytryptophan , tryptamine , tyrosine , endocrinology , medicine , serotonin , pharmacology , biochemistry , receptor
1. The intravenous injection into rabbits of 25‐50 μg of a preparation of cell‐wall mucopeptide (SM) from group A streptococcus produced a rise in rectal temperature and a fall in the number of circulating granulocytes in the blood. 2. The pyrogenic response to SM is not dependent on the circulating granulocytes since it occurred also in rabbits made leucopenic by nitrogen mustard (HN 3). 3. The pyrogenic response to SM was enhanced after an intravenous injection of 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HTP). 4. Pre‐treatment with reserpine caused a much greater attenuation of the pyrogenic response to SM than pre‐treatment with α‐methyl‐para‐tyrosine (AMPT). 5. As the reserpine reduced the 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and noradrenaline level in the hypothalamus, whereas the AMPT reduced only the noradrenaline level, it is concluded that 5‐HT may be involved in the pyrogenic response and the way in which 5‐HT may exert this function is discussed.