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The novel cannabinoid CB 1 receptor agonist AM11101 increases food intake in female rats
Author(s) -
Ogden Sean B.,
Malamas Michael S.,
Makriyannis Alexandros,
Eckel Lisa A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.14797
Subject(s) - orexigenic , agonist , meal , cannabinoid , endocrinology , medicine , cannabinoid receptor , food intake , receptor , chemistry , biology , neuropeptide y receptor , neuropeptide
Background and Purpose Δ 9 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) acts via cannabinoid CB 1 receptors to increase feeding. Here, we assessed the orexigenic effect of AM11101, a novel CB 1 receptor agonist designed to have a more favourable pharmacodynamic profile than THC. Experimental Approach The acute, orexigenic effects of AM11101 and THC were compared in female rats. Food intake and meal patterns were also examined following once daily treatment with AM11101 and THC for 7 days. Key Results AM11101 (0.01–0.1 mg·kg −1 ) increased food intake during the first hour following both acute and chronic treatments in pre‐fed and freely feeding animals. This orexigenic effect persisted for up to 4 hr, with no compensatory decrease in feeding during the subsequent 4–22 hr. THC (1 mg·kg −1 ) increased 1‐hr food intake in pre‐fed animals, but was less reliable than AM11101 in increasing 1‐hr food intake in freely feeding animals following both acute and chronic administration. The orexigenic effect of both compounds was due to an increase in meal size, not meal number. Conclusions and Implications Our study provides the first demonstration that AM11101 increases short‐term food intake via a selective increase in meal size. AM11101 promotes a more reliable orexigenic effect than THC in freely feeding animals, with no subsequent compensatory decrease in feeding. AM11101 may offer a greater efficacy than THC and its congeners in stimulating food intake in underweight clinical populations.