Lipopolysaccharide and histaminergic systems interact to mediate food intake in broilers

1. The aim of the current study was to investigate the interaction of the lipopolysaccharide and histaminergic systems on appetite regulation in broilers. The effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of α-fluoromethylhistidine (α-FMH, histidine decarboxylase inhibitor), chlorpheniramine (histamine H₁ receptor antagonist), famotidine (histamine H₂ receptor antagonist) and thioperamide (histamine H₃ receptor antagonist) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hypophagia in broilers were studied. 2. A total of 128 broilers were randomly allocated into 4 experiments (4 groups and 8 replications in each experiment). A cannula was surgically implanted into the lateral ventricle. In Experiment 1, broilers were ICV injected with LPS (20 ng) prior to α-FMH (250 nmol). In Experiment 2, chickens were ICV injected with LPS followed by chlorpheniramine (300 nmol). In Experiment 3, broilers were ICV injected with famotidine (82 nmol) after LPS (20 ng). In Experiment 4, ICV injection of LPS was followed by thioperamide (300 nmol). The cumulative food intake was recorded until 4 h post injection. 3. LPS decreased food intake; chlorpheniramine amplified food intake and LPS-induced hypophagia was lessened by injection of chlorpheniramine. α-FMH, famotidine and thioperamide had no effect on LPS-induced hypophagia. 4. The results suggest that there is an interaction between central LPS and the histaminergic system where LPS-induced hypophagia is presumably mediated by H₁ histamine receptors in 3 h food-deprived broilers.