Hypophagic and hypolocomotive effects of metachloro phenyl piperazine in rats treated with theophylline and caffeine

ABSTRACT

Long term intake of coffee is known to produce anxiety and suppression of appetite. 5- hydroxytryptamine [5-HT] acting via 5-HT-2C receptors elicits anorexia and anxiety. The present study is design to monitor metachloro phenyl piperazine [m-CPP] at a dose of 3mg/ml/kg, induces hypophagia and hypolocomotion in rats taking a solution of caffeine [a component of coffee and tea] or theophylline [a component of tea] as a sole source of water. We found that hypophagic and hypolocomotive effects of m-CPP were attenuated in theophylline but not in caffeine treated animals suggesting that long term intake of theophylline may, attenuate anorexiogenic and anxiogenic effects of 5-HT. A possible role of 5-HT-2C receptors in the modulation of anxiety and appetite in people drinking coffee or tea discussed