Novel ghrelin receptor modulator agrelax reduces chocolate intake in overeating rats subject to foot-shock stress

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Abstract

Background: Obesity and stress are widespread today and have a significant impact on public health. Moreover, these diseases are closely interconnected, including through such eating disorders as binge eating and food addiction. A promising target for the treatment of obesity is the ghrelin receptor, which is involved in both appetite regulation and stress response.

Aim: The aim of the research was to estimate the impact of novel peptide ghrelin antagonist agrelax on rats eating behavior in the limited access model under electric foot shock stress conditions.

Methods: Eating behavior was studied in limited access to high-caloric foods model. To evaluate anxiety and compulsivity of rats the marble burying and elevated plus maze tests were employed. As stress exposure the electric stimulation of limbs (foot-shock) was used. Agrelax was administered intranasally at a dosage of 1 mg / ml, 10 μl in each nostril.

Results: The elevated plus maze and marble burying tests results demonstrated more pronounced anxiety and comulsivity in rats, consuming more than 36 kcal of chocolate treat per hour in contrast to those who consumed less or didn’t obtain treat, p < 0.05. Same, rats prone to overeating, in contrast to those who ate less than 36 kcal/hour, demonstrated a reaction to foot shock stress by increasing the consumption of chocolate treat from 47.9 ± 4.0 to 56.0 ± 5.4 kcal, while agrelax reduced this amount to 41.0 ± 3.6 kcal.

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that agrelax reduces the consumption of chocolate treat increased by the effect of electrical stimulation of the limbs (foot-shock) in rats prone to overeating high-calorie foods.

About the authors

Mariia A. Netesa

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Author for correspondence.
Email: saintula@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0002-7353-1745
SPIN-code: 8429-6486
Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Natalia D. Nadbitova

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Email: natali_805@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2957-226X
SPIN-code: 4153-1270

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Andrei A. Lebedev

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Email: aalebedev-iem@rambler.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0297-0425
SPIN-code: 4998-5204

Dr. Sci. (Biology), Professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Petr D. Shabanov

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Email: pdshabanov@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1464-1127
SPIN-code: 8974-7477

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

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