title: The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716 blocks the orexigenic effects of intrahypothalamic ghrelin.
abstract: The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus plays a key role in the control of appetite and energy balance. Both ghrelin and cannabinoid receptor agonists increase food intake when administered into this nucleus: this study investigated possible interactions between the two systems in relation to eating. The orexigenic effect of ghrelin (100 pmol) when infused in to the PVN was reversed by a small, systemic dose of the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716 (1 mg kg(-1)). This is the first demonstration of a functional relationship between brain ghrelin and endocannabinoid systems, and, although it needs to be further investigated, the effect of ghrelin on food intake when injected into the PVN seems to be mediated by stimulation of cannabinoid release.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool L69 7ZA.
authors.forename: Sonia A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Tucci
authors.forename: Elizabeth K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korbonits
authors.forename: Tim C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Kirkham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019167:Appetite Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D054439:Ghrelin; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077285:Rimonabant
chemical_list: D019167:Appetite Stimulants; D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D013759:Dronabinol; D000077285:Rimonabant