Oral administration of the 5-HT2Creceptor agonist, mCPP, reduces body weight gain in rats over 28 days as a result of maintained hypophagia.

RATIONALE: The 5-HT(2C) receptor subtype has been implicated extensively in the regulation of ingestive behaviour. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether chronic administration of the preferential 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist, mCPP, reduces rat body weight gain and to determine if this effect is wholly or partially attributable to the effect of the drug on daily food intake. METHODS: Animals were orally dosed with mCPP (10 mg/kg P.O., b.i.d.) or d-fenfluramine (2.5 mg/kg P.O., b.i.d.) for 28 days. Further groups of animals received drug treatments for the first 14 days and then received vehicle for the remainder of the experiment. Locomotor activity was assessed on days 2, 14, and 28. In a second study, animals received mCPP or d-fenfluramine for a 14-day period (dose and route were identical to the previous study). A group of pair-fed controls were included to determine whether the effects on body weight gain were attributable entirely to drug-induced hypophagia. RESULTS: Both mCPP and d-fenfluramine reduced body weight relative to vehicle-treated controls over the 28-day period. Withdrawal of the drugs on day 14 resulted in a significant rebound weight gain. Neither mCPP nor d-fenfluramine induced significant changes in locomotor activity compared to controls on any of the days tested (2, 14 or 28). In the second, 14-day study, changes in the body weights of pair-fed controls closely paralleled those of their drug-treated counterparts. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that chronic oral treatment with mCPP and d-fenfluramine significantly reduces rat body weight gain, an effect that is reversible upon withdrawal and wholly attributable to maintained hypophagia.

Preferential effects of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, SR 141716, on food intake and body weight gain of obese (fa/fa) compared to lean Zucker rats.

RATIONALE: The selective CB(1) receptor antagonist, SR 141716, has been demonstrated to reduce food consumption in a range of animal species. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of chronic administration of SR 141716 on body weight and ingestive behaviour of lean and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats. METHODS: Lean and obese Zucker rats were orally dosed with SR 141716 (3, 10, 30 mg/kg PO), sibutramine (5 mg/kg PO) or vehicle for one week. Pair-fed controls provided insight as to whether the effect of SR 141716 on body weight was attributable to drug-induced hypophagia. Subsequently, the effect of chronic oral administration of SR 141716 (1, 3, 10 mg/kg) was assessed for 28 days. At the end of this period, all animals were given vehicle for 14 days. The incidence of wet-dog shakes, yawning, scratching, and grooming behaviours, was assessed after acute administration and at weekly intervals thereafter for 4 weeks. RESULTS: SR 141716 dose-dependently decreased food intake and body weight gain in both lean and obese animals. The inhibition of food intake and body weight gain was greater in obese Zuckers than in lean Zucker controls. Changes in the body weights of pair-fed controls closely paralleled those of their drug-treated counterparts. Chronic 28-day treatment led to a maintained reduction of body weight gain. Withdrawal of SR 141716 on day 28 resulted in rebound hyperphagia and a significant weight gain. On acute administration, SR 141716 dose-dependently induced motor behaviours that showed tolerance upon repeated administration. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that chronic oral treatment with SR 141716 significantly reduces the food intake and body weight gain of obese and lean Zucker rats, an effect that is greater in obese animals and reversible upon drug withdrawal.