A history of human-like dieting alters serotonergic control of feeding and neurochemical balance in a rat model of binge-eating.
OBJECTIVE
This study replicated a model of stress-induced binge-eating in rats with a history of caloric restriction (HCR), tested their response to SSRI (fluoxetine) treatment, and explored changes in brain monoamine levels.


METHODS
Young female rats with no-HCR/no-Stress, no-HCR/Stress, HCR/no-Stress, and HCR+Stress (binge-eating) were treated with fluoxetine. Post-mortem levels of serotonin, dopamine, and metabolites were assessed from brain regions key to feeding and reward.


RESULTS
A 3 mg/kg dose of fluoxetine without effect in the no-HCR groups suppressed intake of HCR groups, normalizing the binge-eating of HCR/Stress rats. No differences in monoamines were detected in the hypothalamus or tegmentum but a strong positive relationship between accumbens serotonin and dopamine turnover in no-HCR rats was absent in rats with HCR.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite lack of hunger, a history of human-like dieting alters serotonin function in ways suggesting consequences not only to feeding but also control of reward and mood that are dependent on dopamine/serotonin interactions.
Chandler-Laney
Paula C
PC
Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Division, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1170, USA.
Castañeda
Edward
E
Viana
Jason B
JB
Oswald
Kimberly D
KD
Maldonado
Christine R
CR
Boggiano
Mary M
MM
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000473:pathology*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000473:pathology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013681:Tegmentum Mesencephali / Q000473:pathology
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine