Effect of intracerebroventricular injection of neokyotorphin on the thermoregulatory responses in rats.

Intracerebroventricular injection of neokyotorphin (NKT) (0.5-2.0 micrograms) caused a dose-related increase in body temperature (Tb) of rats maintained at 28 degrees C. The change in Tb of the rat induced by the optimal dose of NKT (1 microgram) was attenuated when the rat was exposed to 18 degrees C. At both ambient temperatures, heat production was not affected but heat loss was significantly reduced at 28 degrees C in rats receiving 1 microgram NKT. Pretreatment with naloxone (5 mg/kg, IP) significantly reduced the hyperthermic effect induced by NKT (1 microgram). These results suggest that NKT can affect the prevailing thermoregulatory heat loss activities and this effect may be mediated through stimulated release of endogenous opioids.