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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
07:46

Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa

Published on: October 22, 2015

Anorexia induced by activators of the signal transducer gp 130

C R Plata-Salamán1

  • 1School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark 19716-2590, USA.

Neuroreport
|February 29, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Certain interleukin-6 (IL-6) subfamily members, like IL-11 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), reduce feeding in rats. This suggests a role for these cytokines in sickness-induced anorexia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), are known to induce anorexia (loss of appetite).
  • Glycoprotein (gp) 130 is a key signaling molecule for the interleukin-6 (IL-6) subfamily of cytokines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of IL-6 subfamily members on feeding behavior in rats.
  • To determine the relative potencies and efficacies of IL-6 subfamily members in inducing anorexia.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were administered varying doses (1.0, 20, and 100 ng) of IL-6 subfamily members via i.c.v. microinfusion.
  • Short-term feeding responses were measured following cytokine administration.

Main Results:

  • Several IL-6 subfamily members, including IL-6, IL-11, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), significantly reduced food intake.
  • Interleukin (IL)-11 demonstrated the highest potency, while LIF was the most effective in suppressing feeding.
  • Oncostatin M (OSM) did not produce a significant anorexic effect.

Conclusions:

  • Members of the IL-6 subfamily act centrally to decrease feeding behavior in rats.
  • These findings suggest that IL-6 subfamily cytokines may contribute to the anorexia observed during pathological conditions.
  • The anorexigenic effects of IL-6 subfamily members could potentially interact with those of other cytokines involved in disease-related anorexia.

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