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Abstract

Thermal and metabolic responses to administered Piromen (0.4–0.5 μg/kg) were followed for 4 hr in 14 normal subjects. Rectal temperature (Tr) began to increase after 1 hr, climbed steeply for the next 2 hr and achieved a mean total rise of slightly greater than 2 F. Plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol concentrations rose sharply by 90 min and remained elevated for the remainder of the test, while growth hormone (GH) levels rose at 1 hr, peaked at 90 min and gradually fell. Glucose values exhibited a reciprocal pattern to GH, while insulin concentrations remained relatively steady. The GH and Tr responses to Piromen were positively correlated (r =0.584, p<.05). To test whether the re-esterification of FFA served as the metabolic source of the fever, 4 men were studied after 3 weeks of oral reserpine (0.25 mg b.i.d.) and 9 subjects received a 10% dextrose infusion for the entire 4 hr period following the Piromen administration. Reserpine lowered basal FFA levels, delayed and possibly blunted glycerol release, but did not affect the GH or thermal response to the pyrogen. Although the dextrose infusion depressed the mean glycerol and FFA concentrations 25 and 50%, respectively, below basal levels, the fever was slightly higher than in the control group and the GH response was significantly elevated (p<.02). It was concluded that, after the administration of Piromen: 1) reesterification of FFA is not important as a metabolic source for heat production; 2) lipolysis is not secondary to increased GH secretion; 3) GH release, although specific and not secondary to generalized stress, is not causative in the thermal response; and 4) reserpine in the dosage employed will not affect GH release but may delay the glycerol response.

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Copyright © 1971 by The Endocrine Society
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