American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content · 1957 · 230 citations · 0 references
MedicinePharmacologyPhysiologyNeuropharmacologyPharmacodynamicsStress PhysiologyAutonomic Nervous SystemAutonomic Nervous System PharmacologyAutonomic Nervous System ResponsesHeat StressTemperature RegulationThermal PhysiologyAutonomic Control Of ThermoregulationPhysiological Responses To Heat StressRespiratory Heat ProductionSympathetic Nervous System InvolvementSympathetic Nervous System ModulationSympathetic Nervous System PharmacologySympathetic Nervous System PhysiologyTreatment With Atropine
The sympathetic nervous system, including the adrenal medulla, mediates chemical regulation of heat production in cold‑adapted rats. Hexamethonium and piperoxane block the cold‑induced rise in oxygen consumption in curarized rats, atropine has no effect, and L‑noradrenaline is more effective than adrenaline at preventing the fall in oxygen consumption, indicating noradrenaline’s key role in chemical thermogenesis.
The ganglionic blocking agent hexamethonium chloride and the adrenolytic agent piperoxane hydrochloride prevented the increase in oxygen consumption otherwise observed in curarized, cold-adapted rats exposed to cold. Atropine sulfate had no effect. The sympathetic nervous system, including the adrenal medulla, appears to be important in the mediation of chemical regulation of heat production in these animals. L-noradrenaline was more effective than adrenaline in preventing the fall in oxygen consumption caused by hexamethonium. This finding suggests that noradrenaline may also play an important part in chemical regulation.