Effects of Reserpine on Thyroidectomized-Andrenodemedullated Rats

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Abstract
Administration of reserpine to thyroidectomized-adrenodemedullated rats produced an abrupt fall in body temperature, oxygen consumption and heart rate. This effect on body temperature and oxygen consumption was counteracted by raising the environmental temperature to 30 C, but even at this elevated temperature reserpine produced a significant bradycardia. Measurement of oxygen consumption on diaphragm and on heart and liver slices in vitro showed that pretreatment with reserpine raised the Qo2, of both heart and liver but was without effect on the Qo2 of diaphragm. When diaphragm from normal rats was incubated with palmitate rather than glucose, Qo2 was reduced to the same level as in diaphragm from hypothyroid rats. Reserpine was also found to prevent the mobilization of liver glycogen in rats fasted for 18 hr. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of catecholamines and thyroid in maintaining body temperature. (Endocrinology75: 389, 1964)