Effects of prostaglandin antagonism on sodium arachidonate fever in rabbits.

Abstract

Sodium arachidonate, the prostaglandin precursor substance, when injected intraventricularly into rabbits, resulted in dose-dependent hyperthermia, which was rapid in onset and lasted several hours. Arachidonate fever was inhibited by intraventricular injection of indomethacin, but not by the simultaneous intraventricular injection of either of the 2 prostaglandin antagonists SC 19220 or HR 546. Both antagonists effectively inhibited the fever induced by the intraventricular injection of an equipotent dose of PGE1 [prostaglandin E1]. A derivative of arachidonic acid other than prostaglandin is pyrogenic.