Effects of 5-HT in ketanserin-pretreated rats on the structure of feeding behavior

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JUAN MANUEL MANCILLA DÍAZ
RODRIGO ERICK ESCARTÍN PÉREZ
VERÓNICA LÓPEZ ALONSO

Abstract

There is evidence that the serotonergic control of feeding behavior is mediated mainly by specific 5-HT1/2 receptors. However, there are not enough data about the specific behavioral mechanisms involved. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of 5-HT injection in ketanserin-pretreated rats on feeding behavior structure, in order to reveal the contribution of the 5-HT2A/2C receptors of paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of hypothalamus.and the specific behavioral mechanisms related. Forty rats were maintained on a self-selection feeding paradigm and provided with freely available and separate sources of protein, carbohydrate and fat. The structure of feeding behaviour was videorecorded during a period of 20 min. The experimental room where the rats were observed was kept at 21 ± 1°C on a reversed 12-h light /dark cycle. Our results show that ketanserin-pretreatment attenuated the suppressive effect of 5-HT on carbohydrate intake, even at the onset of the natural (dark) feeding period and it was observed an increase in the duration of carbohydrate meals. The ketanserin-pretreatment was unable to prevent the decrease on local eating rate induced by 5-HT. Our results strongly suggested that stimulation of 5-HT2A/2C receptor is required to the full expression of 5-HT-induced hypophagia, and the contribution of these receptors involves specific behavioral mechanisms, affecting carbohydrates intake and duration.

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How to Cite
MANCILLA DÍAZ, J. M., ESCARTÍN PÉREZ, R. E., & LÓPEZ ALONSO, V. (2011). Effects of 5-HT in ketanserin-pretreated rats on the structure of feeding behavior. Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis, 32(1), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.5514/rmac.v32.i1.23257