COMMISSURAL NUCLEUS OF THE SOLITARY TRACT LESIONS REDUCE FOOD-INTAKE AND BODY-WEIGHT GAIN IN RATS

This study investigated the effects of an electrolytic lesion of the c ommissural subnucleus of the nucleus of the solitary tract (commNTS) o n body weight, daily food and water intake, and plasma glucose and ins ulin in rats. In the first 6 days following brain surgery, commNTS les ioned rats reduced daily food intake by 80% compared to rats with sham lesions, After this period rats with lesions of commNTS started recov ering food intake, but intake remained significantly reduced until the 12th day after surgery. A reduction in body weight was observed 4 day s after surgery and reached a maximum on thr 12th day. After this, a p artial recovery of body weight was observed, but weight remained signi ficantly reduced compared to weights of rats with sham lesions through the conclusion of the study. Food intake and body Height gain in othe r rats with partial lesions of the commNTS or with lesions outside the commNTS did not differ from rats with sham lesions with regard to tho se variables. Daily water intake and plasma glucose and insulin were n ot changed by the commNTS lesions. These results suggest that commNTS is involved with mechanisms that control food intake and body weight i n rats.