VASOPRESSIN RELEASE WITHIN THE VENTRAL SEPTAL AREA OF THE RAT-BRAIN DURING DRUG-INDUCED ANTIPYRESIS

The techniques of push-pull perfusion and radioimmunoassay were used to determine concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in extracellular fluid derived from the ventral septal area (VSA) of the rat brain following antipyresis elicited by acetaminophen or indomethacin in conscious and unrestrained rats. Reduction of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever by intraperitoneal indomethacin resulted in significant increases in AVP levels in VSA perfusion fluid (P < 0.05). In contrast, antipyresis after acetaminophen treatment was without significant effect on AVP output from VSA nerve terminals. In control animals (non-pyrogen treated), body temperature rose in apparent response to the perfusion procedure. Despite this elevation in core temperature, subsequent treatment with acetaminophen or indomethacin did not result in significant changes in AVP release from VSA perfusates. We conclude that AVP release into VSA extracellular fluids following intraperitoneal indomethacin is dependent upon the neuronal sequelae inherent to pyrogen-evoked fever and not non-specific rises in body temperature. These results support the hypothesis that endogenous AVP, acting within the VSA, participates in the neuronal mechanisms mediating indomethacin-induced antipyresis.