Unexpected responses of the obese "cafeteria" rat to the peptide FMRF-amide.

The relationship between the acute effects of FMRF-amide on central monoamines and feeding effects were investigated simultaneously in normophagic and "cafeteria" rats. This tetrapeptide is considered as being representative of an endogenous related peptides family with antagonistic properties on opioid-induced behavioural effects. In normophagic rats, no feeding effect was observed, but there was a decrease in serotonergic metabolism similar to that induced by the classical antagonist, naltrexone. However, in the "cafeteria" rats, FMRF-amide enhanced food intake and increased serotonergic metabolism, exhibiting the classical effects of opiate agonists. Since the effects of FMRF-amide differ according to the ponderal and/or nutritional status, this peptide would appear to act rather as a modulator than a true opiate antagonist on food intake. This raises the question as to the exact role of the recently-discovered endogenous FMRF-amide related family in obesity and/or stimulated feeding patterns.