5-HT2A Receptor Agonist-Induced Hyperthermia Is Induced via Vasoconstriction by Peripheral 5-HT2A Receptors and Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis by Peripheral Serotonin Loss at a High Ambient Temperature.

The recreational drug 25B-NBOMe, a selective agonist of the 5-HT2A receptor, induces hyperthermia only when the ambient temperature is high. In experiments on male rats, administration at 23°C did not change core body temperature, but at 29°C it caused significant hyperthermia 30–120 minutes later. The hyperthermia involves two mechanisms: peripheral vasoconstriction (indicated by a temporary drop in tail temperature) that stores heat, and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) that begins 60–120 minutes after administration. Blocking peripheral 5-HT2A receptors with sarpogrelate suppressed the hyperthermia, while destroying central neurons did not. Plasma serotonin levels decreased at 29°C, and giving serotonin partially suppressed the hyperthermia, suggesting that reduced peripheral serotonin triggers BAT thermogenesis. Peripheral serotonin thus plays a partial but important role in thermoregulation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Recreational drugs such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and cocaine induce hyperthermia, which is affected by ambient temperature. 2-(4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-NBOMe), a selective agonist of 5-HT2A receptor used as a recreational drug, reportedly induces hyperthermia. This study aimed to verify whether 25B-NBOMe induces ambient temperature-dependent hyperthermia and to clarify its mechanism. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered intraperitoneal injection of 25B-NBOMe at an ambient temperature of 23°C or 29°C. 25B-NBOMe administration at 23°C did not change the core body temperature of the rats, whereas administration at 29°C induced significant hyperthermia 30-120 minutes postadministration. Tail surface temperature temporarily decreased 30 minutes postadministration, indicating heat storage by peripheral vasoconstriction despite a high ambient temperature. Because 25B-NBOMe-induced-hyperthermia was suppressed by sarpogrelate, but not by destruction of central noradrenaline or serotonin neurons, peripheral 5-HT2A receptors were considered contributors to the development of hyperthermia at a high ambient temperature, independently from central neurons. The temperature of brown adipose tissue (BAT) increased 60-120 minutes postadministration of 25B-NBOMe at 29°C, indicating thermogenesis. Previous studies have reported that peripheral serotonin contributes to the inhibition of BAT thermogenesis. Decreased plasma serotonin levels were observed at 29°C, and serotonin administration partially suppressed 25B-NBOMe-induced hyperthermia at a high ambient temperature, suggesting that decreased levels of peripheral serotonin induced BAT thermogenesis. Our findings indicate that 25B-NBOMe induces hyperthermia at a high ambient temperature via vasoconstriction regulated by 5-HT2A receptors and BAT thermogenesis mediated by decreased levels of plasma serotonin. Thus, peripheral serotonin plays a partial but important role in thermoregulation.