title: Acute anorectic effect of single and combined drugs in mice using a non-deprivation protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies of the effect of anorectic drugs such as fenfluramine in mice have indicated the desirability of using experimental protocols that do not involve deprivation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We have developed a non-deprivation or "dessert" protocol for use in mice that are maintained in standard housing conditions, and examine the effects of a serotonergic agent dexfenfluramine (DFEN), a dopaminergic agent phentermine (PHEN), and a selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitor thionisoxetine (TNIX) alone and in combination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female C57BL/6J mice were adapted to 30 min daily presentation of a gelatinized form of sweetened milk using a holder that hooks over the side of the cage during tests; food spillage and contamination are minimal. Dose-inhibition curves were determined for DFEN, PHEN, and TNIX alone and for fixed ratio combinations of DFEN with either PHEN or TNIX.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each drug produced a near linear dose-inhibition curve with the 50% inhibitory doses (DI50) of 5.6, 3.2 and 12.2 mg/kg, respectively. By isobolographic analysis, the effects of the drug combinations were strictly additive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The procedure described is highly suitable for testing anorectic drugs in mice and is adaptable to a variety of housing conditions and diets. The DFEN+ PHEN combination was additive, which contrasts with its reported supra-additive effect in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-2250, USA. nrowland@ufl.edu
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020372:Dexfenfluramine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010645:Phentermine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D005473:Fluoxetine; C093518:thionisoxetine; D010645:Phentermine; D020372:Dexfenfluramine