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Temperature response to morphine in paralyzed cats
European Journal of Pharmacology
|June 1, 1978
Summary
Morphine increases cat body temperature, even when paralyzed. Spinal blockade prevented this temperature rise, suggesting motor activity is not required for morphine-induced hyperthermia.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary pharmacology
- Animal physiology
Background:
- Opioid analgesics like morphine can cause changes in body temperature.
- The role of motor activity in morphine-induced hyperthermia has been debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of motor activity in morphine-induced hyperthermia in cats.
- To determine if spinal blockade affects the hyperthermic response to morphine.
Main Methods:
- Cats were administered morphine intravenously.
- One group of cats received a spinal blockade at C3 using lidocaine.
- Body temperature was monitored in all cats.
Main Results:
- Cats receiving only morphine showed a significant increase in body temperature.
- Cats with both morphine and spinal blockade did not exhibit hyperthermia.
- This indicates that the pathway for morphine-induced hyperthermia does not solely rely on motor activity.
Conclusions:
- Morphine-induced hyperthermia in cats can occur independently of motor activity.
- Spinal blockade effectively prevents the hyperthermic response to morphine.
- These findings challenge previous hypotheses regarding the mechanism of opioid-induced hyperthermia.