Effect of biogenic amines reuptake inhibition on ethanol induced hypothermia.

The mechanism of ethanol induced hypothermia (EIH) was examined by the use of chemically related compounds which inhibit 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or norepinephrine (NE) reuptake. Desipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant drug (TCA) and NE reuptake inhibitor partially antagonizes EIH. However, Nisoxetine (NE reuptake inhibitor but not TCA) did not abolish EIH. Chlorimipramine, a TCA compound and 5-HT reuptake inhibitor abolishes EIH. Meanwhile, fluoxetine (5-HT reuptake inhibitor, but not TCA) potentiated ethanol induced hypothermia. It was concluded that the antagonism of EIH is probably related to the antidepressant effect of TCA compounds.