Dimethyl sulphoxide, a pyrogen potentiating agent
Van Miert, A.S.; Van Duin, C.T.
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 28(2): 149-151
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3573 PMID: 6675 Document Number: 98529
The effect of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on fever in rabbits induced with exogenous pyrogens and with leukocytic pyrogen was studied. The exogenous pyrogens used were sodium nucleate from yeast and purified lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Salmonella typhimurium or Escherichia coli. Pretreatment with DMSO effectively potentiated the febrile responses due to small doses of E. coli LPS or sodium nucleate. It is unlikely that DMSO potentiates exogenous pyrogens by an increase in endogenous pyrogen production. The exogenous pyrogen potentiation by DMSO is probably related to a better transport of the pyrogen into the CNS.