Adrenal modulation of opiate induced feeding

Endogenous opioids have been shown to initiate feeding in sated animals. In the present study adrenalectomy enhanced the feeding response to the kappa opiate agonist, ethylketocyclazocine and the kappa/sigma opiate agonist, butorphanol tartrate. Adrenalectomy abolished the anorectic effect of naloxone at doses as high as 10 mg/kg. Corticosterone replacement did not alter the opiate induced feeding and adrenal demedullated rats continued to show enhancement to opiate induced feeding. These data suggest that in addition to the central nervous system, the adrenal medulla is involved in opiate related induction of feeding.