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Neuropeptide FF, via opioid receptors, decreases feed intake and activates the ventromedial hypothalamus while decreasing gastrointestinal transit time in chicks
Author(s) -
Nandar Wint,
Rogers J Orion,
Cline Mark A
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a461-a
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , hypothalamus , (+) naloxone , receptor , chemistry , opioid , appetite , neuropeptide y receptor , neuropeptide , biology
Neuropeptide FF (NPFF), a morphine modulating octapeptide, is found in the mammalian brain and reduces mammalian feed intake. The effects of NPFF in any avian species are unreported. Thus, we centrally treated chicks with NPFF and measured many responses related to appetite. Chicks were randomly assigned to receive intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of either 0, 0.45, 9.0 or 18.0 microg NPFF, and feed and water intake were recorded. NPFF treated chicks responded with a linear dose‐dependent decrease in feed intake, while water intake was not affected. To determine if the effect was mediated through opioid receptors, NPFF was centrally coinjected with naloxone. Naloxone attenuated the NPFF effect on feed intake. We next studied the effect of central NPFF on ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) activity. Through c‐Fos immunocytochemistry, we found that central NPFF caused activation of the VMH and had no effect on the PVN. Finally, we determined the effect of central NPFF on gastrointestinal transit time after gavage of a feed slurry laced with Fe 2 O 3 as a marker. NPFF dose‐dependently decreased the time Fe 2 O 3 was detected in feces. We demonstrated that central NPFF has an anorexigenic effect in chicks that is mediated via opioid receptors. Additionally, central NPFF activates the VHM and affects gastrointestinal motility in chicks.