The effects of the enantiomers of the dopamine agonist N-0437 on food consumption and yawning behavior in rats

Abstract The enantiomers of the potent and selective dopamine (DA) D-2 receptor agonist 2-(N-propyl-N-thienylethyl-amino)-5-hydroxytetralin, N-0437, were tested for their effects on palatable food consumption and yawning behaviour in rats. (−)-N-0437 (1.0 and 5.0 μmol/kg) significantly reduced food consumption, which could be antagonized by the D-2 receptor antagonist YM 09151-2 (0.03 μmol/kg). This confirms the agonistic action of (−)-N-0437 on postsynaptic receptors as food consumption is considered to be related to stimulation of postsynaptic DA receptors. Yawning behaviour was stimulated by (−)-N-0437 (0.5 μmol/kg) and could be antagonized by the autoreceptor-selective antagonist (+)-UH 232 (25 μmol/kg), which suggests an agonistic action on DA autoreceptors. (+)-N-0437 (5.0 and 10.0 μmol/kg) also reduced food consumption and the effect could be antagonized by YM 09151-2 (0.03 μmol/kg). The weaker effect of (+)-N-0437 on food intake in comparison to that induced by (−)-N-0437 can be explained if it assumed that (+)-N-0437 is a partial agonist. (+)-N-0437 did not induce yawning behaviour in rats, suggesting that autoreceptors mediating the release of DA may be involved in stimulating yawning by DA agonists.