Differential inhibition by propranolol of feeding induced in rats by various stimuli

Opiate receptor blockade, or forced imbibition of 2% NaCl to deplete pituitary dynorphin decreases 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), but not insulin-induced hyperphagia, indicating a possible role for dynorphin in the eating associated with endogenous opiates. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade decreases vasopressin release induced by 2-DG but not by insulin. Because vasopressin and dynorphin are sometimes co-localized, it was hypothesized that naloxone-sensitive feeding might be selectively inhibited by beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol. Propranolol in doses as low as 2.5 mg/kg inhibited 4 hr feeding induced by 2-DG (400 mg/kg). Propranolol did not significantly affect feeding induced by ketocyclazocine administration (3.0 mg/kg) or by 24 hr food deprivation. Feeding stimulated by insulin (10 U/kg) was significantly inhibited by propranolol (2.5 mg/kg) only when the propranolol was reinjected during the period 2 hr after insulin injection, when the induced feeding was greatest. In summary, propranolol inhibited opiate-related (2-DG) as well as opiate-independent (insulin) hyperphagias. It also failed to inhibit food intake resulting from the opiate related stimulus of 24 hr food deprivation. Therefore, naloxone sensitive hyperphagias were not specifically inhibited by beta-adrenergic blockade, indicating that vasopressin-associated dynorphin is not involved in opiate related feeding.