Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) decreases open-field spontaneous activity of Zucker rats.
The behavioral endpoint of open-field spontaneous activity was used to characterize further the central nervous system actions of dehydroepiandrosterone. DHEA, administered by intraperitoneal injection, causes a dose-dependent decrease in the spontaneous activity of lean and obese Zucker rats when exposed to a novel environment. The midpoint of DHEA's effect is around 50 mg/kg, a dose similar to that which reduces caloric intake of the rat by nearly 50%. d-Fenfluramine, a known anorectic agent, decreases spontaneous activity under the same conditions. Administration of either DHEA or d-fenfluramine leads to changes in serotonin or its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, in select regions of the brain. These results emphasize that DHEA given peripherally can affect both the level of neurotransimitters and central nervous system function.
Nguyen
T
T
Obesity Research Program, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112, USA.
Porter
J
J
Svec
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D011924:Rats, Zucker; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D001067:Appetite Depressants; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone