ABSTRACT
Feeding and its regulation by opioids were studied in lean sheep and sheep in the static phase of dietary obesity. Sheep were fasted 16 h and on separate days were injected IV with 0 (saline), 0.01, 0.1, 1, or 3 mg/kg naloxone 5 min before they were allowed ad lib intake for the ensuing 32 h. All sheep were in chronic zero energy balance when not fed ad lib during naloxone treatment. After 0 mg/kg naloxone, intake rate was at least twice as fast (p < 0.05) in lean than obese sheep through the first 4 h of ad lib feeding, but was similar (approximately 0.5 g/min) in both groups of sheep after 8 h of ad lib feeding. Dose-dependent inhibitory effects of naloxone on intake were observed in lean and obese sheep through the first 4 h of ad lib feeding with maximum inhibition at +2 h. Dose-response curve for naloxone inhibition of intake was shifted leftward in obese compared with lean sheep. Dose of naloxone needed to inhibit intake by 25% was less (p < 0.05) in obese (0.13 mg/kg) than lean (0.57 mg/kg) sheep when both groups experienced similar plasma concentrations of injected naloxone. Basal concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in fasted plasma were similar in lean (33 +/- 4 pg/ml) and obese (48 +/- 9 pg/ml) sheep. Dietary obesity in sheep was associated with reduced appetite and with enhanced responsiveness to the intake-inhibitory effects of naloxone.
