Chlordiazepoxide counteracts activity-induced suppression of eating in rats

Because benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide increase food intake, the present experiments tested the effect of chlordiazepoxide on food intake in an animal model of anorexia nervosa, called activity anorexia (AA). To induce AA, rats (Rattus norvegicus) were maintained in activity wheels and restricted to a single 60-min feeding period each day. As previously found, this procedure suppressed food intake. After several days of this training, food intake was measured 30 min after the rats were injected with chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg) or saline. In 2 experiments, chlordiazepoxide counteracted the suppression of food intake produced by AA. Because benzodiazepines have been found to increase food intake in many mammalian species including primates, the present results suggest that benzodiazepines could be useful in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.