Decreased consumption of rewarding sucrose solutions after injection of melanocortins into the ventral tegmental area of rats

摘要: Rationale The mesolimbic dopamine system is an important component of the neural circuitry controlling reward-related behavior. We have recently shown that melanocortin peptides decrease normal homeostatic feeding through actions in ventral tegmental area. It unknown, however, whether can also act on pathways to regulate hedonic, aspects feeding. Objectives In these studies, we tested injection receptor agonists directly into area (VTA) affected intake appetizing and rewarding sugar solutions two-bottle choice tests. Methods Varying doses agonist, MTII, were injected VTA, different was measured tests distinguish between potential effects versus hedonic addition, 24-h food throughout experiments. Results Injection MTII VTA dose dependently decreased 1 2 % sucrose 0.2 saccharin eachstudy.AlthoughMTIIalsodecreasedtheintakeofa10% solution, appeared be less potent rats exposed 10 sucrose, as only highest effective at reducing rats. Conclusions These studies demonstrate melanocortins control Thus, add growing body evidence showing interact with multiple behaviors.