[Pharmacological and molecular aspects of the regulation of eating behavior. With special reference to the role of catecholamines and effects of amphetamine]

Abstract

Among the numerous endogenous substances involved in the regulation of feeding behaviours, the catecholamines are in the front rank. The numerous studies devoted to this aspect of catecholamines emphasize the importance and complexity of their intervention. Depending on the cerebral structures on which they act and on whether noradrenaline or dopamine are concerned, orexigenic or anorexigenic effects have been described. Alpha-2 and beta adrenergic receptors as well as D1 and D2 dopaminergic receptors participate in these effects. Amphetamine, which is an indirect catecholaminergic agonist, mobilizes neuronal catecholamines and fosters their various effects. Moreover, it exercises direct effects by its association with sites borne by glycaemia-sensitive neurons. This target seems to be common to a wide variety of anorectic agents. They are thought to reproduce on this hypothalamic "glucostat" the effect of a high blood glucose level, thus triggering off signals of satiety. In this unifying hypothesis, the diverse pharmacological profiles these agents are known to possess would result from associated properties.