Intracerebroventricularly administered urocortin inhibits gastric emptying in mice

Urocortin, a recently identified member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family, is implicated in the central control of appetite and energy metabolism. We previously reported that peripherally administered urocortin inhibits gastric emptying in conscious mice. In this study, we investigated the effect of intracerebroventricularly administered urocortin on gastric emptying, food intake and body weight in mice. Urocortin decreased food intake and body weight gain more potently than CRF. It significantly decreased gastric emptying of a solid meal; an effect that was inhibited by simultaneous administration of alpha-helical CRF9-41, a CRF antagonist. These results suggest that the potent anorectic properties of urocortin may be partly due to the anti-gastroprokinetic activity of the peptide.