We investigated the hypothesis that amylin and insulin, hormones co-secreted by pancreatic
B-cells in response to a nutrient stimulus, interact to reduce food intake. A paradigm
was employed that assessed food intake in adult male rats after bous intravenous (i.v.)
infusion at dark onset. In one experiment, rats received saline or amylin (0.1, 0.5
or 1.0 nmol). All amylin doses significantly suppressed 1 h intake, and although significant
decreases in cumulative intake persisted for 2 h after 0.5 and 1.0 nmol, a significant
increase of food intake actually occurred relative to saline during the interval from
1 to 2 h postinfusion. In another experiment, rats received saline, 0.25 nmol amylin,
10 mU insulin, or the combination of amylin plus insulin. Neither amylin nor insulin
alone significantly changed cumulative food intake at any time point as compared to
saline. However, the combination significantly reduced intake relative not only to
saline but also to amylin and insulin alone after 1, 2, and 4 hours. These data are
consistent with the hypothesis that endogenous amylin and insulin interact to reduce
food intake and, ultimately, body weight.
Key words
Ingestion - Peptide - Satiety - Obesity - Hormone
