Abstract
Satiety signals from the gastrointestinal tract travel via vagal afferents to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in the brain stem, the first central relay in a neural network which controls food intake. The non-competitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 facilitates food intake in rats by acting on the NTS. Here we report that hepatic portal vein infusion of MK-801 (25 or 50 microg/kg) increases intake of an intraorally infused 1 M solution of sucrose (by 113 +/- 9 and 132 +/- 11%, respectively) and that this effect is prevented by hepatic vagotomy. By contrast, jugular vein infusion of MK-801 fails to increase sucrose intake but induces forward locomotion, indicating activation of a central mechanism. These data suggest that MK-801 can stimulate food intake by acting peripherally on hepatic vagal afferents.
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.
