Hypothermic effects of alkylxanthines: evidence for a calcium-independent phosphodiesterase action.

Caffeine induces a dose-dependent decrease in core body temperature in mice and the hypothermia induced by a 100 mg/kg dose of caffeine was seen to persist for greater than 160 min. Other alkylxanthines including theophylline, enprophylline, isbutylmethylxanthine and 1,3-dipropyl-7-methylxanthine also showed dose-dependent reductions in body temperature. The dose of these drugs required to reduce body temperature by 2 degrees C was calculated and correlated with the affinities for the compounds at adenosine A1 and A2 receptors and their activities in inhibiting calcium dependent and independent phosphodiesterases. Significant relationships were found between the 2 degrees C hypothermic dose (HD2) and soluble and membrane calcium-independent phosphodiesterase inhibiting activity (r2s = 0.950 and 0.940, respectively). No significant relationship was seen between HD2 and soluble calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase inhibiting activity or with A2 adenosine receptor affinity. The relationship between HD2 and A1 adenosine receptor affinity (r2 = 0.739) did however almost reach statistical significance. These results would suggest that phosphodiesterase inhibition, instead of or in addition to adenosine receptor blockade, may play an important role in the effects of alkylxanthines on body temperature.