Combined naloxone and fluoxetine on deprivation-induced binge eating of palatable foods in rats

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1997 Dec;58(4):1103-7. doi: 10.1016/s0091-3057(97)00318-3.

Abstract

Opioid antagonism and serotonergic stimulation is associated with macronutrient-specific hypophagia in animals. In the present study we evaluated their systemic effect alone, and in combination, at various doses, on the intake of sweet carbohydrate-rich and sweet fat-rich foods, tastes, and nutrients that are typical of binge-food items. Low-dose (1 mg/kg) naloxone, alone, preferentially suppressed fat-rich intake while low-dose (2.5 mg/kg) fluoxetine, alone, preferentially suppressed carbohydrate-rich intake. Each drug at these doses, combined with various doses of the other (2.5-10 mg/kg fluoxetine; 0.01-1 mg/kg naloxone) additively suppressed both kinds of the sweet foods. Naloxone and fluoxetine have therapeutic potential in treating binge-eating disorders. This animal study suggests what shortcomings and benefits might be expected when combining these two agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / pharmacology*
  • Appetite Depressants / pharmacology*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / pharmacology
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology
  • Feeding Behavior / drug effects*
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacology*
  • Food Deprivation / physiology
  • Food Preferences / drug effects
  • Male
  • Naloxone / pharmacology*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
  • Appetite Depressants
  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Fluoxetine
  • Naloxone