Abstract
β-Chlornaltrexamine (β-CNA) is a non-equilibrium opioid receptor antagonist which alkylates and inactivates opioid receptors. Because opioid peptides are thought to contribute to the regulation of food intake, we examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of β-CNA on the food intake and body weight of male rats. We also tested the ability of β-CNA to block food intake stimulated by selective agonists of kappa, mu and delta opioid receptors: dynorphin A (DYN), Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-(Me)Phe-Gly-ol (DAGO), and [(D-Ser 2, Leu 5]-enkephalin-Thr 6 (DSLET). Treatment with β-CNA caused a long-term (2–4 days) reduction in daily food intake and a concomitant reduction in body weight. An additional experiment indicated that the weight loss after β-CNA treatment could be completely accounted for by the reduction in intake. β-CNA treatment also abolished or greatly attenuated the feeding effects of DAGO, DSLET and DYN, even when these peptides were tested 26 hours after β-CNA administration. The long duration of the effects of β-CNA suggests that this compound will be a useful pharmacological tool in further study of the opioid feeding system.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
