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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Fat Preference: A Novel Model of Eating Behavior in Rats
Published on: June 27, 2014
Orexin A in the rostrolateral hypothalamic area induces feeding by modulating GABAergic transmission
A J Thorpe1, D F Doane, D C Sweet
1Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Abstract:
The neuromodulatory peptides orexin A and B are important central nervous system regulators of appetite. We previously identified the rostral lateral portion of the hypothalamus as an area important to orexin A feeding regulation. As gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) within the lateral hypothalamus also mediates feeding, we sought to determine the relationship between orexin and GABA signaling within this site. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with cannulae directed to the rostral lateral hypothalamus and saclofen (GABA-B receptor antagonist), biccuculine (GABA-A receptor antagonist) or muscimol (GABA-A receptor agonist) were injected prior to orexin A. Both GABA antagonists failed to significantly affect orexin A-induced feeding, but muscimol significantly and dose dependently inhibited orexin A-induced feeding. Using in vivo microdialysis GABA release within this region significantly dropped during the first hour following orexin A administration, coinciding with orexin A-induced feeding. Together, these data indicate that orexin A may influence food intake by decreasing GABAergic tone within the rostral lateral hypothalamus.
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