Thermoregulatory responses of the rabbit to subcutaneous injection of sulfolane.

Abstract

Earlier studies have shown that intraperitoneal injection of the industrial solvent sulfolane (tetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide) caused a decrease in metabolic rate and a rapid, regulated hypothermia in mice and rats. In the present study, subcutaneous injections of 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, and 750 mg/kg sulfolane at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 10 degrees C caused a dose-dependent decrease in colonic temperature (Tc) of rabbits. Metabolic rate (MR) remained unchanged during the initial phase of the hypothermia for all dose groups; but peripheral vasodilation, as indicated by an increase in ear skin temperature, was seen at the higher dose levels. The observed thermoregulatory response to sulfolane was a function of Ta. Thus, at Tas of 10 and 20 degrees C, injection of 600 mg/kg sulfolane had no effect on MR but caused an increase in ear skin temperature. The magnitude of the hypothermia was similar at these two Tas, indicating the sulfolane-treated rabbits had some control over Tc. At a Ta of 28 degrees C, however, the animals became hyperthermic upon injection of 600 mg/kg sulfolane.

• Authors: F S Mohler, C J Gordon
• Journal: Archives of toxicology (Arch Toxicol) Vol. 62 Issue 2-3 Pg. 216-9 ( 1988) ISSN: 0340-5761 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 3196156 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thiophenes
• sulfolane

Topics

• Animals
• Basal Metabolism (drug effects)
• Body Temperature Regulation (drug effects)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Male
• Rabbits
• Seizures (chemically induced)
• Species Specificity
• Thiophenes (toxicity)