title: Correlation between anorectic potency and affinity for hypothalamic (+)-amphetamine binding sites of phenylethylamines.
abstract: The potencies of a number of phenylethylamines and related compounds to inhibit food intake were compared with their relative affinities for hypothalamic (+)-amphetamine binding sites in vitro. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.78, P less than 0.001, n = 19) between potencies of these compounds to inhibit food intake and their potencies to inhibit [3H](+)-amphetamine binding. Individual enantiomers of amphetamine, ephedrine, norephedrine, pseudoephedrine and norpseudoephedrine all inhibited food intake with a two- to five-fold greater potency than that of their respective optical isomers. However, they did not exhibit a comparable stereospecificity to inhibit [3H](+)-amphetamine binding. Further, several compounds including imipramine and propranolol, without known anorectic properties were among the most potent agents to inhibit [3H](+)-amphetamine binding. Thus, although a positive correlation exists between relative binding affinity and potencies to inhibit food intake, the functional interrelationship is uncertain.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000378:metabolism*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D010627:Phenethylamines; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; C036062:amphetamine receptor; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine