The anti-influenza drug oseltamivir evokes hypothermia in mice through dopamine D2 receptor activation via central actions.

ABSTRACT

Oseltamivir has a hypothermic effect in mice when injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) and intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.). Here we show that the hypothermia evoked by i.c.v.-oseltamivir is inhibited by non-selective dopamine receptor antagonists (sulpiride and haloperidol) and the D2-selective antagonist L-741,626, but not by D1/D5-selective and D3-selective antagonists (SCH-23390 and SB-277011-A, respectively). The hypothermic effect of i.p.-administered oseltamivir was not inhibited by sulpiride, haloperidol, L-741,626 and SCH-23390. In addition, neither sulpiride, haloperidol nor SCH-23390 blocked hypothermia evoked by i.c.v.-administered oseltamivir carboxylate (a hydrolyzed metabolite of oseltamivir). These results suggest that oseltamivir in the brain induces hypothermia through activation of dopamine D2 receptors.