title: Hyperphagia following intraventricular p-chlorophenylalanine-, leucine- or tryptophan-methyl esters: lack of correlation with whole brain serotonin levels.
abstract: The methylester hydrochlorides of DL-p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), L-leucine and L-tryptophan were intraventricularly administered to rats. All compounds produced increased food intake compared to saline administration. PCPA and leucine administration significantly decreased serotonin levels by 15--18%, while no serotonin depletion occurred following tryptophan injections. The data suggest that intraventricular injections of large quantities of neutral amino acid methyl esters may cause hyperphagia in rats through non-serotonergic effects on brain function.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007930:Leucine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D007930:Leucine; D010134:Fenclonine