Lack of tolerance to the suppressing effect of rimonabant on chocolate intake in rats |
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Authors: | Gian Luigi Gessa Alessandro Orrù Paola Lai Paola Maccioni Rossella Lecca Carla Lobina Mauro A. M. Carai Giancarlo Colombo |
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Affiliation: | (1) C.N.R. Institute of Neuroscience, Viale Diaz, 182, I-09126 Cagliari (CA), Italy;(2) Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy |
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Abstract: | Rationale and objectives Previous work indicated that tolerance to the anorectic effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, rimonabant, developed rather rapidly in rats and mice given access to a standard rodent chow. The present study was designed to investigate whether the reducing effect of rimonabant on intake of a highly palatable food such as a chocolate-flavoured beverage underwent a development of tolerance as rapid as that manifested on intake of a standard rodent chow. Materials and methods To this aim, Wistar rats were concurrently exposed, with unlimited access for 24 h/day, to the chocolate-flavoured beverage, regular food pellets and water. Rimonabant (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg; i.p.) was administered once a day for 21 consecutive days. Results Rimonabant administration resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of the high, daily intake of the chocolate-flavoured beverage; this effect lasted for the entire 21-day treatment period, without any apparent development of tolerance. Conversely, rimonabant-induced reduction in daily intake of regular food pellets was of a smaller magnitude and was limited to the first 3–4 days of treatment. Conclusions Together, these results indicate that chronically administered rimonabant was more effective and longer-lasting in reducing the intake of a highly palatable food than that of regular food pellets in rats. These results also suggest that rimonabant may be more active on the hedonic rather than nutritive properties of diets. |
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Keywords: | Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant Food intake Highly palatable diet Chocolate-flavoured beverage Tolerance Rat |
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