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Biomedical subjects

N Orthen-Gambill

Publications and source records attributed to N Orthen-Gambill.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

FMH-induced decrease in central histamine levels produces increased feeding and body weight in rats.

The present study tested the long-term effects of the histamine (H) synthesis inhibitor alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (FMH) on feeding and body weight in rats. FMH (administered via 2-week osmotic minipumps) increased feeding significantly throughout the test period. Body weights were also significantly increased toward the end of the test period. Hypothalamic H assays, performed at the end of the study, confirmed that FMH-treated rats had significantly lower H levels than controls. In general, the results suggest that H activity and feeding are inversely related.

Animals

Differential effects of psychotropic drugs on feeding in rats: is histamine blockade involved?

The present animal studies tested the hypothesis that drug-induced blockade of histamine-1 receptors leads to appetite stimulation. Test agents included the antipsychotic promazine which has very potent antihistaminic effects, as well as the antipsychotic haloperidol and the antidepressant desipramine which both have negligible antihistaminic effects. In support of the hypothesis, significant appetite stimulation occurred only with promazine, while the other two test agents did not increase feeding, and even produced some suppression in food intake.

Animals

Antihistaminic drugs increase feeding, while histidine suppresses feeding in rats.

The present studies tested the hypothesis that histamine blockade stimulates appetite, while increases in histamine levels suppress appetite. Results show that the classical antihistamines cyproheptadine and promethazine both produced significant and long-lasting increases in food intake. Pronounced appetite stimulation was also seen following the administration of doxepin, the most potent antihistamine among the antidepressants. In contrast, administration of the histamine precursor histidine produced a profound suppression in food intake. The results thus suggest that an inverse relationship may exist between histamine and food intake.

Animal Feed

Sucrose intake unaffected by fenfluramine but suppressed by amphetamine administration.

The present study examined the acute effects of the anorectic agents, fenfluramine and amphetamine, on nutrient selection in male Sprague-Dawley rats. One group of animals received continuous access to both granulated sucrose and Purina chow (presented in separate cups), while the other group received only Purina chow. Four doses of fenfluramine (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 mg/kg) and four doses of amphetamine (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/kg) were tested. Injections were given at the beginning of the feeding period, and nutrient intakes were measured at 2, 4, and 8 h postinjection. While both fenfluramine and amphetamine resulted in similar overall decreases in caloric intakes, the two drugs produced different effects on nutrient selection. Following fenfluramine administration, sucrose intakes remained relatively unaffected, while Purina chow intakes showed pronounced suppression. In contrast, amphetamine administration resulted in a more equal suppression of both sucrose and Purina chow intakes. While the overall decreases in food intake seen with fenfluramine and amphetamine may be linked to changes in central neurotransmitter levels, the sparing of sucrose consumption observed with fenfluramine may also involve drug-induced changes in peripheral metabolism.

Amphetamine