Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 39, Issue 4 575-579, Copyright © 1975 by American Physiological Society
Salicylate hypothermia in rats exposed to hyperbaric air and helium
J. L. Hart
Rectal temperatures of salicylate-treated and untreated rats were observed
in 21-23 degrees C air at 1, 3, 6, and 8 ATA, in 21-23 degrees C helium at
1 and 6 ATA, and in 1 ATA thermal neutral air (28 degrees C). Significant
dose-related temperature decreases occurred in 21-23 degrees C 1 ATA air
with 180 and 300 mg/kg of salicylate; 60 mg/kg had no effect. However, in
thermal neutral air, 300 mg/kg significantly elevated temperatures.
Hyperbaric air and helium had temperature-lowering effects which were
correlated with thermal properties of these environments, and in them the
hypothermic effects of salicylate were similar to those in 1 ATA air, the
total temperature decreases being the sum of the salicylate hypothermia and
that caused by the hyperbaric air or helium. These additive temperature
effects are unlike previously reported results in which the temperature
lowering effects of 5 degrees C cold exposure and salicylate together were
greater than the sum of the two individual effects.
