Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology 2008;24(3):320-323

Effects of gypsum on the firing of pyrogen-treated thermosensitive neurons in PO/AH of cats.

Yan WANG 1 2 ; Yu YANG ; Xia BAI ; Li-Hua SUN ; Yu-Huan WU ; Cheng-Liang YANG

Affiliations

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Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

AIMTo investigate the possible central mechanism of antipyretic effects of Chinese medicine gypsum.

METHODSGypsum was injected after the fever model was established. The firing rate of thermosensitive neurons in preoptic-anterior hypothalamus(PO/AH) region was recorded by using extracellular microelectrode technique.

RESULTSThe injection of pyrogen evoked decrease in firing rate of the warm-sensitive neurons and increase in the cold-sensitive neurons in the region of PO/AH; the changes of the firing rate of pyrogen- treated warm-sensitive and cold-sensitive neurons could be reversed by the injection of gypsum.

CONCLUSIONThe result may suggest that antipyretic action of gypsum is mediated by its influences on the thermosensitivity neurons in the region of PO/AH.