Feeding behavior and ambulatory activity in rats with d-galactosamine-induced hepatic failure

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate changes in feeding behavior and ambulatory activity, in rats with d-galactosamine ( d-GAL)-induced hepatic failure. d-GAL was administered (1000 mg/kg) IP at 1800, just before the dark phase. The first significant decrease of ambulatory activity in rats with hepatic failure was observed between 0000 and 0300 h. A significant increase in drinking behavior was observed between 1800 and 2100 h, and a significant decrease was observed between 2100 and 0300 h. A significant decrease in food intake occurred between 1800 and 2400 h. Thereafter, there was no difference in food intake. In conclusion, we demonstrated significant changes in ambulatory activity, drinking behavior and food intake produced by d-GAL. A wide variation in systems, including monoamine turnover, and amino acid disturbance could be expected in these animals, and such changes might also have contributed to the results observed.