The effect of beta-phenylethylamine on temperature in mice and its possible mechanisms of action

Beta-phenylethylamine on injection into mice (100 mg/kg i.p.) produces a marked hyperthermia which is followed by a prolonged hypothermia. The hyperthermic response was studied in this report. The hyperthermic response was inhibited by p-chlorophenylalanine, methysergide, cyproheptadine, alpha-methyl-tyrosine, propranolol, practolol, phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine, haloperidol, pimozide, protriptyline and desipramine. Lysergic acid diethylamide potentiated the response, while p-chloroamphetamine was without effect. While FLA-63 potentiated the response, disulfiram and reserpine were ineffective in preventing the hyperthermia. Nicotinic acid and prostaglandin E1 did not prevent PE induced hyperthermia. It was concluded from these results that PE induced hyperthermia in mice is blocked by agents that reduce the effective concentration of either DA or 5-HT in the central nervous system (by either synthesis inhibitors or receptor blockers). The involvement with catecholaminergic neurons at least was postulated to be a result of PE induced release of DA from DA neurons.