Differential Mechanisms of Feeding Modulation Induced by Amino Sugars in Rats

Abstract

The present study examined and compared the effects of N-acetylglucosamine and 1-deoxy-N-acetylglucosamine on feeding behavior with those of glucosamine and 1-deoxyglu-cosamine. Infusion of 12 μmole N-acetylglucosamine and 24 μmole 1-deoxy-N-acetylglucosamine into the rat third cerebroventricle did not affect the feeding behavior. However, oral administration of 1200 μmole N-acetylglucosamine elicited feeding and 2400 μmole 1-deoxy-N-acetylglucosamine markedly suppressed feeding. These effects were abolished by truncal vagotomy. Both glucosamine and 1-deoxyglucosamine affected feeding by intra-third cerebroventricular and oral administration. These findings indicate that N-acetyl amino sugars modulate feeding behavior peripherally through the vagal afferent nerve.