Chronic systemic administration of 5-HT produces weight loss in mature adult male rats.
Adult male rats were allowed to free-feed until their body weights had stabilised. They were next trained onto a 4 h per day feeding regimen, until further stabilisation occurred. All rats then received saline injections for 5 days, to establish baseline body weights. One group was then injected with 5.0 mg/kg 5-HT daily for 30 days while the other group continued with saline. Progressive and significant weight loss occurred in the drug-treated animals. After 30 days, the 5-HT-treated rats had lost 7.0% of their baseline body weights, whereas the control group had gained 1.3%. At this point, the 5-HT treated rats were switched back to saline injections to investigate rebound effects. Although the group that had received 5-HT treatment showed evidence of rebound weight gain, mean weights at the end of the 10 day rebound period were still 4.5% lower than baseline values. These data clearly indicate that chronic systemic administration of 5-HT can produce considerable weight loss in rats.
Edwards
S
S
Department of Psychology, University of Wales Swansea.
D000818:Animals; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D012701:Serotonin