Effects of dl-fenfluramine on dextrin and casein intakes influenced by textural preferences.

The effects of dl-fenfluramine (2.5 mg/kg) on selection between the textures of nutrient preparations were tested by presenting rats with a choice between pairs of three sizes of chow crumb with 45% dextrin, casein, maltodextrin, or calcium caseinate added or with no nutrient added. The usual effect of fenfluramine was to reduce the intake preference for a coarser over a finer crumb. This drug effect differed, however, with the preparation of protein or of carbohydrate added to each crumb size. There was no consistent effect of nutrient, and hence the reported effects of this dose of dl-fenfluramine cannot be attributed to nutrient-specific selection.