Cholecystokinin and morphine-induced hypothermia

The effects of cholecystokinin-8 sulfate (CCK-8), cholecystokinin-8 unsulfate (CCK-8U), cholecystokinin-4 (CCK-4), caerulein and morphine on mice core body temperature have been studied in the present work. Subcutaneous injection of different doses of caerulein (0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg), CCK-8 (0.05, 0.1 and 0.25 mg/kg) and morphine (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) induced hypothermia. CCK-8U and CCK-4 did not elicit any response. The hypothermic response induced by caerulein, a CCK-related decapeptide but not morphine was decreased by selective CCK, receptor antagonist MK-329. However, the hypothermia induced by morphine but not caerulein was reduced by opioid antagonist naloxone. When morphine plus caerulein was administered a higher hypothermia was induced. Pretreatment of animals with L-365 260, a selective CCK, receptor antagonist did not alter the hypothermia induced by the drugs. The response induced by combination of the both drugs was decreased by MK-329. Administration of CCK antagonists MK-329 and L-365 260 to mice did not exert any effect on temperature. It is concluded that the CCK, receptor mechanism may be involved in the hypothermic effect of CCK agonists or morphine, while opioid receptor mechanism is not involved in CCK receptor agonists' response. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.