Effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and amphetamine on hypothermia produced by halothane

1. In cats, the effects of tranylcypromine and pheniprazine, two monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors with strong amphetamine-like actions, of pargyline, an inhibitor without amphetamine-like actions, and of amphetamine itself, were examined on the hypothermia produced by a 2 hr period of halothane inhalation.2. The hypothermia was prevented by intraperitoneal injections of the three MAO inhibitors. Tranylcypromine and pheniprazine acted in doses of a few milligrams, pargyline in doses of over 100 mg.3. The hypothermia was prevented by injections into the cerebral ventricles of tranylcypromine and pheniprazine, in doses which were effective also on intraperitoneal injection; intraperitoneal injections were sometimes more effective. The large doses of pargyline needed to prevent the hypothermia when injected intraperitoneally were not tested by the intraventricular route, as the injections had to be made in a volume of 0.1 ml. In smaller doses intraventricular pargyline was not effective.4. The hypothermia was prevented by an intraperitoneal or intraventricular injection of amphetamine in a dose as little as 1 mg; intraperitoneal injections were sometimes more effective.5. The effects of tranylcypromine and pargyline given intraperitoneally, and of amphetamine given intraventricularly as well, were also examined on the hypothermia produced by an intraventricular injection of 200 mug noradrenaline. The two MAO inhibitors and amphetamine prevented the hypothermia, or greatly reduced it.6. It is concluded (a) that even on intraventricular injection the MAO inhibitors must first be absorbed into the blood stream before they can prevent the hypothermia of a halothane anaesthesia; (b) that their action may not be solely on the anterior hypothalamus; and (c) that they may not act only through MAO inhibition.