Effect of an anorexiant on levels of 5-HIAA and GSH in brain of well-nourished and malnourished rats

In this study, the effect of sibutramine and carnitine on 5-HIAA and GSH levels in brain regions of malnourished rats was analyzed. Twenty-four rats were fed with a normal protein diet (23%) and another similar group with protein starvation diet (7%). The animals of both groups were re-assigned into four groups of 6 animals per group and treated for 10 days as follows: group 1, saline solution; group 2, sibutramine (10 mg/kg); group 3, carnitine (500 mg/kg); and group 4, sibutramine (10 mg/kg) + carnitine (500 mg/kg). The animals were sacrificed at the end of treatment and their cerebrum, cortex, cerebellum and medulla oblongata were extracted to determine the levels of glucose, glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA). The corporal weights of animals fed with low protein diet were significantly lower than those on normal diet. The levels of 5-HIAA, TBARS, and GSH showed significant differences due to subitramine and carnitine effects, principally in cortex than in the rest of the brain areas of rats fed with low diet. Sibutramine and carnitine alter serotonergic metabolism in the brain regions of animals subjected to low protein diets. Reduction in oxidative stress may be involved in these effects.