title: Diethylpropion produces psychostimulant and reward effects.
abstract: Diethylpropion (DEP) is a stimulant drug widely used for weight control in Brazil and other American countries. However, its effects on behavior and addiction potential are not yet well known. Data suggest that sensitization resulting from pre-exposure to psychostimulants could be a possible risk factor in subsequent drug addiction. The purpose of this investigation was to verify whether pre-exposure to DEP would sensitize rats to the motor activating effect and to the rewarding value of DEP. Two experiments were conducted. In both experiments rats were pre-exposed to DEP (20 mg/kg) or vehicle for 7 consecutive days. The acute effect of DEP (0.0, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg) on motor activity (Experiment 1) and induction of Conditioned Place Preference-CPP (Experiment 2) were then measured. Results from Experiment 1 showed that 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg DEP increased motor activity. Sensitization of this motor effect was observed. In Experiment 2, the doses of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg DEP induced CPP, indicating their rewarding value. However, no sensitization effect was observed. The results suggest that DEP at low doses has psychostimulant and rewarding properties. It is recommended that more effort should be dedicated to elucidating DEP abuse potential.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Psicofarmacologia, Departamento de Psicologia Experimental, Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av Prof Mello Moraes, 1721, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil. mgarciam@usp.br
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia-Mijares
authors.forename: Ana Martins Torres
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bernardes
authors.forename: Maria Teresa Araujo
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004053:Diethylpropion / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012201:Reward
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004053:Diethylpropion