Ethanol-induced hypothermia in rats is antagonized by dexamethasone

Abstract

The effect of dexamethasone on ethanol-induced hypothermia was investigated in 3.5-month old male Wistar rats (N = 10 animals per group). The animals were pretreated with dexamethasone (2.0 mg/kg, ip; volume of injection = 1 ml/kg) 15 min before ethanol administration (2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 g/kg, ip; 20% w/v) and the colon temperature was monitored with a digital thermometer 30, 60 and 90 min after ethanol administration. Ethanol treatment produced dose-dependent hypothermia throughout the experiment (-1.84 ± 0.10, -2.79 ± 0.09 and -3.79 ± 0.15 o C for 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 g/kg ethanol, respectively, 30 min after ethanol) but only the effects of 2.0 and 3.0 g/kg ethanol were significantly antagonized (-0.57 ± 0.09 and -1.25 ± 0.10, respectively, 30 min after ethanol) by pretreatment with dexamethasone (ANOVA, P<0.05). These results are in agreement with data from the literature on the rapid antagonism by glucocorticoids of other effects of ethanol. The antagonism was obtained after a short period of time, suggesting that the effect of dexamethasone is different from the classical actions of corticosteroids.

Cannabidiol as a Modulator of the Development of Alcohol Tolerance in Rats

“…In rats, ethanol doses between 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg b.w. cause temperature drops of −1.8 to −3.8 °C below the physiological level [ 10 ].…”

Ginger Extract-Loaded Solid Dispersion System with Enhanced Oral Absorption and Antihypothermic Action

“…The antihypothermic action of GE and GE/SD was evaluated using a rat model of hypothermia induced by ethanol. The intraperitoneal injection of ethanol could evoke hypothermia due to regulation of the body temperature by the suppression of shivering, induction of hypoglycemia, and production of cutaneous vasodilation that leads to increased heat loss . For the estimation of the pharmacological effect of GE samples, the surface temperature of the hindlimb in the model rats was visualized by thermographic analysis (Figure A).…”

“…The intraperitoneal injection of ethanol could evoke hypothermia due to regulation of the body temperature by the suppression of shivering, induction of hypoglycemia, and production of cutaneous vasodilation that leads to increased heat loss. 24 For the estimation of the pharmacological effect of GE samples, the surface temperature of the hindlimb in the model rats was visualized by thermographic analysis (Figure 5A). After ethanol injection in rats with vehicle administration, the surface temperature of the hindlimb decreased according to the thermographic image and was calculated as around 27.5 °C (Figure 5B).…”