title: Para-chlorophenylalanine prevents feeding induced by the serotonin agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT).
abstract: The effects of para-chlorophenylalanine pre-treatment (PCPA, 150 mg/kg IP daily for 3 days) on feeding and stereotyped behaviour elicited by the serotonin agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) in rats were investigated. PCPA depleted brain serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations by 90% and increased feeding during a 2-h day-time test. 8-OH-DPAT (60-4000 micrograms/kg SC) increased food intake in control animals but decreased it in PCPA-treated animals during the 2-h test. PCPA treatment had no effect on 8-OH-DPAT-induced locomotion or serotonin-related stereotyped behaviour (i.e. forepaw treading, headweaving, wet dog shakes, etc). Since PCPA prevents the operation of pre-synaptic serotonergic mechanisms, the failure of 8-OH-DPAT to increase food intake in PCPA-treated rats suggests that 8-OH-DPAT-induced hyperphagia is autoreceptor mediated.
mesh_terms: D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects*; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D009281:Naphthalenes; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D010134:Fenclonine