Effect of intracerebroventricular administration of the GABAB‐receptor agonist baclofen on operant feeding in satiated pigs

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Abstract
1 The present study investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of the GABAB-receptor agonist baclofen on food and water intake in satiated pigs previously trained to make operant responses for food and water, which were available ad libitum. 2 Baclofen (25–100 nmol) i.c.v. produced a dose-related increase in food intake. Baclofen (50 nmol) increased feeding during the first 15 min after administration (P > 0.01), while the 100 nmol dose increased feeding during the first 30 min (P > 0.01). None of these doses of baclofen had any affect on the daily (24 h) food intake. 3 The effect of baclofen (50 nmol) on feeding was prevented by pretreating the animals with the GABAB antagonist phaclofen (500 nmol, i.c.v.). 4 Baclofen (25–100 nmol) i.c.v. had no significant effects on water intake. 5 Intravenous administration of baclofen (100 nmol) had no effect on food intake, thus eliminating the possibility that i.c.v. baclofen might have stimulated feeding by a peripheral mode of action. 6 These results show that baclofen increases food intake in satiated pigs, and that this effect is mediated by the drug acting at central GABAB-receptors.