The beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists clenbuterol and salbutamol enhance the hypothermic action of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) in mice by a central mechanism.

The hypothermic response of mice to injection of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) was enhanced by injection of the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol with an ED50 of 0.4 mg/kg. This effect of clenbuterol is through a central mechanism since salbutamol, a beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist with poor penetration into the brain, had no effect at a dose of 2 mg/kg, whereas intracerebroventricular injection of clenbuterol (3 micrograms) or salbutamol (2 micrograms), produced a significant enhancement. The enhancing effect of clenbuterol was unaffected by pretreatment with the beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol but was totally antagonised by the beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 and to a lesser extent by butoxamine. Clenbuterol therefore enhances the function of the presynaptic 5-HT1 receptor through a beta 2-adrenoceptor mechanism.