The role of the NOP receptor in regulating food intake, meal pattern, and the excitability of proopiomelanocortin neurons.

ABSTRACT: We evaluated the role of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor in regulating food intake, meal pattern and the activity of hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) neurons. The microstructural analysis of food intake and meal pattern was performed under both food-deprived and ad libitum conditions. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained using the in vitro hypothalamic slice preparation and biocytin-filled electrodes. NOP receptor knockout mice exhibited significantly reduced body weight. Fasting-induced hyperphagia was diminished for the first 2h of a 6-h re-feeding period, and was associated with decreased meal duration and size, as well as a biphasic effect on meal frequency. The genotype effect observed under ad libitum conditions was comparatively unremarkable. Orphanin FQ/nociceptin (O

SUBMITTER: Farhang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2946834 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature