[Effects of intraperitoneally administered spermine on ingestive behavior, serum glucose and free fatty acids...

The intraperitoneal administration of spermine (SPM) produced a dual-phasic feeding suppression. The first suppression appeared immediately after the administration and disappeared on the 2nd day. The next suppression was observed on the 3rd day and continued for 2-4 days. The 50% dose which induced suppression on the 3rd day was 64.9 (60.9-69.2) mumol/kg. Drinking behavior was also suppressed on the 1st day, but was facilitated on the 2nd day and lasted for 4-5 days. Serum glucose and free fatty acids concentrations increased after the administration of SPM (80 mumol/kg). Their maximal values obtained at 3 hours after the dosing were 116% and 156% of the control values, respectively. These increases in both substances were not observed in the adrenal-demedullated rats. The same dose of SPM enhanced serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities. The maximal values obtained at 2 hours after the dosing were 264% and 142% of the control values, respectively. On the contrary, serum cholinesterase activity decreased to 44% of the control value at the same hour. These variations of the enzyme activities disappeared at 3 hour, but were again observed between the 1st and 4th days. The results suggest that SPM releases catecholamines from the adrenal medulla, and exerts a toxic action on the liver. The anorexia induced by SPM may be due to these actions on the viscera.