Effect of intraventricular administration of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on body temperature in the rat.

Intracerebroventricular injection of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) into rat caused a temporary elevation of body temperature followed by a decrease to below the control level. Hypothermia induced by cholecystokinin octapeptide was abolished by simultaneous administration of VIP. Hypothermia following pentobarbital administration was reduced by successive injections of VIP. The results suggest that multiple interactions of neuropeptides are involved in central thermoregulation.