title: The hyperphagic effect of nociceptin/orphanin FQ in rats.
abstract: Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NC), the endogenous ligand of the opioid receptor-like1 (ORL1) receptor, has been reported to stimulate feeding in rats. The present article reviews the studies so far published on the effect of NC on food intake and reports new findings concerning the sensitivity of brain regions to the hyperphagic effect of NC in rats. The results obtained indicate that the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus is the most sensitive site among the brain regions so far investigated. On the basis of these findings and of the neurochemical and electrophysiological effects of NC, possible mechanisms of action and possible interactions with other neurotransmitter systems affecting feeding are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, Italy. polidori@cambio.unicam.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Polidori
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Caro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massi
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics / Q000378:metabolism; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000378:metabolism; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000094942:Nociceptin Receptor; D000097629:Nociceptin
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008024:Ligands; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D012701:Serotonin; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000094942:Nociceptin Receptor; D000097629:Nociceptin; C111148:nocistatin; C000722285:Oprl1 protein, rat