Potentiation of hyperphagia and relief of hypothermia in the genetically obese mouse (genotype, ob/ob) by alpha-methyl tyrosine.
DL-alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester hydrochloride affected the hyperphagia and hypothermia characteristic of the genetically obese mouse (genotype, ob/ob) throughout an experimental period of 5 days. Intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg body weight, daily, resulted in a significant increase in the average daily food consumption by 60 per cent, already elevated 35 per cent above that of lean litter-mates. The drug, administered at the same dose, caused a similar percentage elevation of food intake in the lean litter-mates. Rectal temperatures of obese mice were raised significantly throughout the 5-day period by an average of 0.95 degrees C, following administration of the drug. There was a significant rise of 0.75 degrees C in the rectal temperature of lean mice on 2 of the 5 days in the period. Body weight remained unchanged. Further experiments are necessary to determine the site of action at which DL-alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine brings about these effects at this dose in lean and obese mice.
D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051379:Mice; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D009638:Norepinephrine