ISATIN INHIBITS FOOD-INTAKE IN MICE

Isatin (2,3-dioxindole) is an endogenous compound which is distributed throughout the central nervous system. The studies reported here demo nstrate that isatin decreased food intake in food deprived TAC (SW) ma le mice 12-16 weeks of age. Isatin was more effective at decreasing fo od intake when the mice had to work harder to obtain food. Isatin also decreased sucrose, mill; and water intake. When hunger was reduced by prefeeding milk to the mice, isatin was more effective at decreasing food intake. Isatin did not alter spontaneous activity in an openfield . Behaviors observed in the home cage indicated that mice which receiv ed isatin approached the food more often without eating than the contr ols. Movement in the home cage was significantly reduced in mice recei ving isatin. Drinking, grooming;Ind resting were not significantly aff ected by administration of isatin. These studies suggest that isatin m ay be an endogenous modulator of food intake.