Abstract
The role exerted by the endogenous opioid system on thermoregulation has been studied in nine postmenopausal women before and after the chronic administration of the dopamine agonist bromocriptine (5 mg/day). These women randomly received an infusion of the opioid antagonist naloxone (1.6 mg/h for 4 h) or saline on two consecutive days, before and after 30 days of bromocriptine administration. Body temperature, as evaluated by rectal temperature, did not vary during saline infusion performed both before and after 30 days of bromocriptine administration. In untreated women naloxone infusion significantly reduced body core temperature. The hypothermic response to naloxone was significantly greater following chronic bromocriptine administration. These results indicate that bromocriptine seems to increase the activity of the endogenous opioid system on the mechanisms which regulate body temperature in postmenopausal women.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call