The effects of chronic diazepam treatment on body weight and food intake in rats.

Abstract

A series of experiments are reported in all of which the effects of chronic (14-18 days) diazepam treatment on body weight were evaluated under various conditions, and one experiment in which weight gain and daily food intake were monitored simultaneously. The effect of diazepam treatment on body weight was compared to that of vehicle treatment in the following groups: (1) young adult females, (2) pregnant females, (3) shock treated young males (4) nonshocked young males. The effect of diazepam treatment on prenatally diazepam exposed and nonexposed males and females was investigated at seven months of age. Food intake was also measured during chronic diazepam and vehicle treatment. The findings show consistent and reliable differences between diazepam and vehicle treatment. Diazepam treated animals eat less in the long run and gain less weight than vehicle treated controls. Prenatal exposure to diazepam enhances the effect of diazepam treatment in adulthood.