The effect of ambient temperature on rectal temperature, food intake and short term body weight in the capsaicin desensitized rat.

1. Subcutaneous injections of capsaicin (mean cumulative dose: 80.1 +/- 3.6 mg , kg-1) permanently reduced the capacity of rats to withstand a hot environment when deprived of water. With water available, hyperthermia was discrete or absent in capsaicinized rats in hot environment. 2. Desensitization was followed by a significant decrease in both food intake and body weight. Treated rats recovered normal body weight after 3 weeks. 3. In a hot environment, compared to controls, food intake was significantly increased in capsaicin desensitized rats which maintained their body weight. In cold environment, food intake was decreased in capsaicin desensitized rats which lost body weight. At normal ambient temperature, food intake and body weight were similar in the 2 groups. 4. Caloric intake adjustment at high and at low temperatures was therefore disturbed in capsaicin desensitized rats. It is concluded that hypothalamic thermodetectors implicated in both thermoregulation and food intake behaviour could be partially damaged by capsaicin.