Chronic d-fenfluramine treatment reduces fat intake independent of macronutrient preference

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1998 May;60(1):105-14. doi: 10.1016/s0091-3057(97)00549-2.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of chronic dexfenfluramine (DFEN) treatment on macronutrient selection in a three-choice diet paradigm using Sprague-Dawley rats. Baseline macronutrient intakes were measured for several days before the initiation of treatment. In Experiment 1, daily intraperitoneal injections of DFEN (1.5 mg/kg) or saline were administered 60 min before dark onset for 12 consecutive days and 24 h macronutrient intakes were measured. DFEN significantly reduced absolute fat intake (kcal) by 30% and relative fat intake (% of total energy) by 14% in animals that received dexfenfluramine treatment compared to controls over the 12-day period. Absolute carbohydrate intake was increased 24% compared to controls, but this difference was not significant. These changes in food intake resulted in a 10% lower total energy intake. Upon discontinuation of the drug, fat intake of the DFEN-treated rats rebounded to control levels within 24 h. In Experiment 2, rats were assigned to carbohydrate- or fat-preferring groups based on the ratio of their average daily carbohydrate to fat intake (kcal). All animals then received DFEN. During DFEN treatment, fat-preferring rats reduced their daily fat intake from 62 to 53% of total energy. The low baseline fat intake of carbohydrate-preferring rats was reduced even further by DFEN (from 24 to 15% of total energy). These corresponding effects of DFEN on macronutrient selection in both fat- and carbohydrate-preferring rats indicate that chronic DFEN treatment selectively suppressed fat intake independent of the preferred macronutrient diet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Eating / drug effects*
  • Eating / physiology
  • Fenfluramine / administration & dosage
  • Fenfluramine / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Serotonin / physiology
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • Fenfluramine
  • Serotonin