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Centrally administered orexin A increases motivation for sweet pellets in rats

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Abstract

Rationale

Centrally administered orexin A induces both feeding and locomotion in rats. Thus, the feeding response following orexin A administration may be secondary to general increases in activity rather than a specific motivation to eat.

Objective

The aim of the study is to determine whether orexin A increases the motivation to eat.

Methods

The effect of orexin A (0, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 pmol) on breakpoint was determined in male Sprague–Dawley rats with rostro-lateral hypothalamic cannulae under a progressive ratio of five schedule (PR5). The effect of orexin A (0, 31.25, 125, and 500 pmol) on pressing rate under a fixed ratio (20) schedule was obtained to analyze the time course of orexin-A-induced pressing. The effect of 24-h food deprivation on breakpoint under PR5 and the effect of orexin A (125 pmol) on free feeding (sweet pellets) and on open-field locomotor activity (0, 100, 500, and 1,000 pmol) were also tested.

Results

Orexin A significantly augmented free feeding of sweet pellets, open-field locomotor activity, rate of pressing (FR20 schedule), and breakpoint (PR5 schedule), although compared to 24-h deprivation, the effect of orexin A on breakpoint was mild. However, there was a differential dose response relationship and time course of stimulation between orexin A's effects on locomotion and lever pressing.

Conclusion

These data indicate that infusion of orexin A enhances free feeding by enhancing and possibly prolonging motivation to eat.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ms. Jennifer Lockie and Ms. Jennifer Teske for their expert technical assistance with training of animals.

This article is supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant DK 57573, and the Minnesota Craniofacial Training Program NIDCR T32 DE07288-8.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    A. J. Thorpe, A. S. Levine & C. M. Kotz

  2. Minnesota Craniofacial Training Program, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    A. J. Thorpe

  3. Veterans Affairs Medical Center GRECC (11G), One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA

    J. P. Cleary, A. S. Levine & C. M. Kotz

  4. Minnesota Obesity Center, One Veterans Drive, Research Route 151, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA

    A. S. Levine & C. M. Kotz

  5. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    A. S. Levine & C. M. Kotz

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  1. A. J. Thorpe
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  2. J. P. Cleary
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  3. A. S. Levine
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  4. C. M. Kotz
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Correspondence to C. M. Kotz.

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Thorpe, A.J., Cleary, J.P., Levine, A.S. et al. Centrally administered orexin A increases motivation for sweet pellets in rats. Psychopharmacology 182, 75–83 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0040-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0040-5

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