Nocturnal depletion of hypothalamic dynorphin in anorexic walker-256 tumor-bearing rats

Abstract Rats implanted with the Walker-256 (W-256) tumor exhibit marked anorexia that is most apparent at night. In this model, the hypothalamic kappa opioid system was examined for deficits that might contribute to this tumor-induced anorexia. In anorexic tumor-bearing rats (TBR), nocturnal levels of ir-DYN-8 were significantly reduced in the hypothalamus, but ir-DYN-17 levels were not. Accumulation of 3 H-etorphine or 3 H-ethylketocyclazocine, a putative ligand for the kappa receptor subtype, was not increased in the hypothalamus of the TBR, as might have been expected if there were less endogenous dynorphin to occupy the opioid receptors in this region. In vitro binding assays with 3 H-ethylketocyclazocine indicated that dynorphin depletion in the TBR was not sufficient to increase the numbers of kappa opioid receptors in the hypothalamus. Also, the sensitivity of kappa opioid receptors involved in feeding was not altered in the TBR as indicated by an intact feeding response to ketocyclazocine. In summary, the marginal deficits of hypothalamic dynorphin in W-256 tumor-bearing rats that coincide with the phase of tumor-induced anorexia may contribute to the reduction in food intake.