Effects of anorexigenic treatments on gastric motility in rats

In these experiments we examined the effects on gastric motility of cholecystokinin, LiCl, hypertonic NaCl solution, gastric distension, and intraduodenal glucose loads, five dissimilar treatments known to reduce food intake in rats. In addition, we investigated whether any observed effects were dependent on the afferent vagus nerve by pretreating subjects with the neurotoxin capsaicin. Each of the five treatments virtually eliminated the gastric contractions seen after rats had consumed a large meal of chow; these effects were rapid in onset and continued for up to 30 min. The inhibitory effects of cholecystokinin and gastric distension were eliminated by pretreatment with capsaicin, whereas the effects of the other treatments were attenuated only slightly or not at all. Because most of these treatments have been shown to stimulate pituitary oxytocin secretion in rats as well as to inhibit food intake and gastric motility, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus is a site at which information is integrated in the coordinated control of food intake, gastric function, and neuroendocrine secretion.