Pain

The Adrenergic and Cholinergic Control of Food and Water Intake

“…The anorexigenic action of amphetamine and its analogues has long been known, these drugs having been frequently used in the treatment of hyperphagic obesities. The phenomenon was defined by the experiments of Harris and colleagues ( 1947), and the work of Soulairac and Soulairac (1959) produced new experimental information enabling the pharmacological production of hyperadrenergy under conditions which could be subjected to analysis.…”

“…On the other hand, anticholinergic drugs have given most interesting results and the effect of atropine has been particularly investigated (Soulairac, 1958: Soulairac & Soulairac, 1959. At a dose of 5 mg/ 100 g/day this drug provoked a significant lowering of food intake ( -12% on average) which disappeared as soon as the treatment was discontinued and was followed by a compensating increase in hunger of about 12%.…”

“…Under the latter experimental conditions and given daily doses of slow release insulin of 3.75 units/ 100 g, the increase in caloric intake ( f 2 9 % ) was achieved almost exclusively by means of the carbohydrate, the intake of which increased 126%. The intake of standard food often even decreased by about lo%, a drop which was at the limit of statistical significance (Soulairac, 1947;Soulairac & Soulairac, 1959) (TABLE 4).…”

“…Many authors, however, are still inclined to hold the view that in the case of insulin the hyperorexigenic action may depend directly upon its hypoglycemic effect. Subsequent experiments (Soulairac & Soulairac, 1959) showed that even if insulin hypoglycemic information is important, its use by the central nervous system and its translation into behavioral conduct are strictly dependent upon the adrenergic and cholinergic vigilance levels. Soulairac and Soulairac (1959) have shown that it is possible to prevent the increase in postinsulin hunger either by activating the adrenergic system (with amphetamine) or by blocking the cholinergic system (with atropine), as is demonstrated in TABLE 4.…”

“…Subsequent experiments (Soulairac & Soulairac, 1959) showed that even if insulin hypoglycemic information is important, its use by the central nervous system and its translation into behavioral conduct are strictly dependent upon the adrenergic and cholinergic vigilance levels. Soulairac and Soulairac (1959) have shown that it is possible to prevent the increase in postinsulin hunger either by activating the adrenergic system (with amphetamine) or by blocking the cholinergic system (with atropine), as is demonstrated in TABLE 4. The simultaneous administration of insulin and amphetamine canceled out all effects on daily caloric intake: the usual approximate 30% increase did not occur, but the increase in glucose intake persisted.…”