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Behavioral thermoregulatory response to maitotoxin in mice
C J Gordon1, Y Yang, J S Ramsdell
1Neurotoxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology
|September 2, 1998
Summary
Marine algal toxins cause hypothermia in mice. Maitotoxin exposure suggests a central nervous system effect on body temperature regulation, potentially an adaptive survival response.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Marine algal toxins are known to induce hypothermia in animal models.
- The precise mechanism of thermoregulatory response to these toxins remains unclear, specifically whether it involves core temperature control dysfunction or a coordinated hypothermic response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the thermoregulatory effects of maitotoxin in mice.
- To determine if maitotoxin affects the central neural control of body temperature or induces a general hypothermic response.
Main Methods:
- Female CD-1 mice were injected with purified maitotoxin (338 ng/kg; IP).
- Core body temperature (Tc) was monitored via radiotelemetric probes.
- Mice were placed in a temperature gradient (15-37°C) to assess ambient temperature selection (Ta).
Main Results:
- Maitotoxin caused a rapid decrease in Tc from 37°C to 34°C within 30 minutes.
- Mice selected a significantly lower Ta (4°C reduction) within 15 minutes post-injection.
- While Tc remained below baseline, mice could select warmer Ta to counteract hypothermia, suggesting central neural involvement.
Conclusions:
- Maitotoxin administration affects the central neural control of body temperature in mice.
- The initial selection of cooler ambient temperatures indicates a direct impact on thermoregulation.
- The hypothermic response to maitotoxin may be an adaptive mechanism for survival against polyether toxins.
