The effects of acute and chronic administration of β-phenylethylamine on food intake and body weight in rats

Abstract

• 1.

  1. The food and water intake and diuresis of male Sprague-Dawley rats were monitored after a single injection of β-phenylethylamine (PEA), and thereafter, at 7 day intervals during 4 weeks of drug treatment.

• 2.

  2. PEA reduced 24 hour food intake (maximal effect of 20% reduction at 50 mg/kg) after a single injection and tolerance did not develop to this effect during four weeks treatment. Similarly PEA caused a dose dependent reduction in body weight gain during this period.

• 3.

  3. The anorectic effect of PEA appears to be behaviourally specific to feeding since there was no concurrent inhibition of water intake or diuresis.