Effect of dantrolene pretreatment on heat stroke in sheep.

Dantrolene is effective in the management of malignant hyperpyrexia. Due to the similarities of malignant hyperpyrexia and heat stroke, we have investigated the effect of dantrolene on heat stroke in sheep. Our study indicates that dantrolene pretreatment decreases the extent of heat stroke signs and some of the induced changes in enzymes and hormones. These results indicate that dantrolene may be a valuable drug in the prophylaxis against heat stroke attack in susceptible individuals.