Galanin in the PVN increases nutrient intake and changes peripheral hormone levels in the rat.

Full Abstract

In self-selection feeding paradigms, rats display differential patterns of nutrient (protein, carbohydrate or fat) intake. Factors known to influence this selection include brain peptides as well as circadian parameters. In this series of experiments we investigated the role of PVN galanin in nutrient intake during the early and late dark periods in the rat. Rats were allowed to select between three isocaloric diets enriched in protein, carbohydrate or fat. Following a 2-week adaptation period, the animals' 24-h intake was monitored for 4 weeks. Galanin was injected into the PVN and food intake was measured 1, 2 and 24 h post-injection. Galanin significantly increased the 1 h total food intake but it failed to increase the intake of any particular nutrient. Galanin had no effect 2 or 24 h post-injection. Analysis of the data grouped by preference based on the rats 24 h baseline selection patterns over the 4-week period revealed that galanin seem to increase the preferred nutrient. That is, galanin preferentially increased the intake of the carbohydrate- or fat-rich diet in animals with high (over 40% of the total food intake) 24-h baselines in this particular nutrient. Finally, analysis of the plasma hormone levels after paraventricular galanin administration revealed a significant increase in noradrenaline levels, a small reduction in plasma insulin with no effects on adrenaline, glucose or corticosterone. The data revealed that galanin in the PVN influences both food intake and metabolic functioning. PVN galanin significantly increases sympathetic outflow and seems to stimulate the intake of the individual rat's preferred macronutrient.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Kyrkouli, Stavroula E (SE); Strubbe, Jan H (JH); Scheurink, Anton J W (AJ);

Affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Crete, P.O. Box 1393, Heraklion 71110, Crete, Greece.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Physiology & behavior (Physiol Behav), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 89 (issue 1) : pp 103-9

Dates: Created 2006/08/07; Completed 2006/09/29; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 16806319, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals
Behavior, Animal - drug effects
Eating - drug effects
Female
Food Preferences - drug effects
Galanin - pharmacology
Hormones - metabolism

Male
Multivariate Analysis
Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus - drug effects
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Time Factors

Associated Chemicals: Hormones (0) ; Galanin (88813-36-9)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.