title: Verapamil and indomethacin attenuate endotoxin-induced anorexia.
abstract: To characterize the mechanism of the anorexia during infection, we investigated the effect of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on feeding in rats under various conditions: LPS (125, 100, 75, and 50 micrograms/kg body weight = b. wt.) injected intraperitoneally (IP) reduced food intake by decreasing meal frequency without affecting meal size. The Ca++-channel blocker verapamil (5 mg/kg b. wt., IP) or the antipyretic and antiphlogistic drug indomethacin (2.5 mg/kg b. wt., IP), but not combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor blockade by IP phentolamine plus propranolol (500 micrograms/kg b. wt., each) attenuated the anorectic effect of LPS (125 or 100 micrograms/kg b. wt.). The results suggest that a phospholipase A2-sensitive mechanism contributes to the anorexia during injection.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Zurich.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Langhans
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harlacher
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scharrer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000855:Anorexia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011433:Propranolol; D014700:Verapamil; D007213:Indomethacin; D010646:Phentolamine