Role of cannabinoid CB1 receptors on macronutrient selection and satiety in rats.

It has been shown that endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids substantially increase feeding. Despite evidence for a role of endocannabinoids in mediating food ingestion, the mechanisms by which CB1 receptor agonists and antagonists have an effect on motivational processes (hunger, satiety) as well as on specific food preference are not entirely understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of systemic injection of the CB1 receptor agonist, ACEA, on protein, carbohydrates and fat intake as well as on the behavioural satiety sequence (BSS) in pre-satiated rats. Following a 120-min access to a three pure nutrient diet (protein, carbohydrates and fat) at dark onset, male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with ACEA (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg). Immediately after the injection, animals were placed into separate experimental cages with free access to food and a single 60-min period was video recorded to evaluate the BSS; protein, carbohydrates and fat intake (g) was measured at the same period of time. Intake of carbohydrates was significantly increased and this effect was prevented by the pre-treatment with AM 251. Analysis of BSS showed that administration of 0.5 mg/kg of ACEA reversed the satiation induced by food ingestion by increasing the time spent eating and decreasing the time resting without altering the overall activity. The present results suggest that the stimulation of food intake induced by activation of CB1 receptors involves a specific dietary component and behavioural selective mechanisms (stimulating hunger and inhibiting satiety).