Fatty acid oxidation affects food intake by altering hepatic energy status
Friedman, M.I.; Harris, R.B.; Ji, H.; Ramirez, I.; Tordoff, M.G.
American Journal of Physiology 276(4): R1046-R1053
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9513 PMID: 10198384 Document Number: 500987
Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation stimulates feeding behavior in rats. To determine whether a decrease in hepatic fatty acid oxidation triggers this behavioral response, we compared the effects of different doses of methyl palmoxirate (MP), an inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, on food intake with those on in vivo and in vitro liver and muscle metabolism. Administration of 1 mg/kg MP selectively decreased hepatic fatty acid oxidation but did not stimulate food intake. In contrast, feeding behavior increased in rats given 5 or 10 mg/kg MP, which inhibited hepatic fatty acid oxidation to the same extent as did the low dose but in addition suppressed fatty acid oxidation in muscle and produced a marked depletion of liver glycogen. Dose-related increases in food intake tracked dose-related reductions in liver ATP content, ATP-to-ADP ratio, and phosphorylation potential. The findings suggest that a decrease in hepatic fatty acid oxidation can stimulate feeding behavior by reduc ing hepatic energy production. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.