Heat Exhaustion in a Rat Model: Lithium as a Biochemical Probe
Abstract
Our aim was to confirm our hypothesis that chronic lithium treatment predisposes to heat-induced illness using an animal model. We hypothesized that lithium-treated rats would develop heat-induced illness more easily and rapidly than would controls. Rats were treated with lithium (2 mEq/kg body weight/day), or with a matching amount of water, for 20 days. In some experiments rats were offered water ad libitum, in other experiments fluid was restricted from day 14- 20. During passive heat testing, rats were housed in a small environmental chamber (modified tissue culture incubator) in individual containers. Temperature in the chamber was maintained at 41.5 C with forced hot air, relative humidity at 30-50%. During active (exercise-induced) heat testing, animals were exercised on a motor-driven treadmill in chambers heated with forced hot air to a temperature of 26 C. Humidity was maintained at 30% relative humidity. Lithium treatment did not affect body water distribution, the rate of body temperature rise in either heating model, and the organ damage caused by exposure to heat (as assessed by leakage of enzymes into blood). There was a difference in the tail temperature during cooling after active (exercise- induced) heating - tail temperatures were consistently higher in lithium treated rats. We also observed that lithium treated animals consumed more water when it was offered ad libitum.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA219361
Entities
People
- Steven H. Zeisel
Organizations
- Boston University