5-Thio-D-glucose: hypothermic responses in mice.

Adult male mice were administered several doses of 5-thio-D-glucose (5-TG) at two environmental temperatures, 4 and 22 degrees C. Both intracerebroventricular (icv) and intraperitoneal (ip) administration of 5-TG resulted in significant (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) decrements in rectal temperature (Tre) that were dose dependent. After 30 min, the hypothermic effects were significantly (P < 0.001, icv, 100 microgram) exacerbated by cold exposure (4 vs. 22 degrees C) and were likewise intensified significantly (P < 0.005, 45 min, fed vs. 18 h fasted) by food deprivation. These reductions in Tre were accompanied by significant (P < 0.001) increases in circulating levels of glucose. The present results indicate that 5-TG may be eliciting both central and peripheral cellular glucopenia concomitant with circulatory hyperglycemia; thus, the resultant hypothermia may be arising from competitive inhibition of glycolysis by 5-TG intermediates as well as reduced availability of tissue glucose.