INTRAPERITONEAL ADMINISTRATION OF BACLOFEN INCREASES CONSUMPTION OF BOTH SOLID AND LIQUID DIETS IN RATS

It has previously been demonstrated that systemic administration of th e GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen increases food intake but decrease s water intake in rats. In the present study, the effects of baclofen (2-4 mg/kg i.p.) were investigated on food intake in non-deprived rats given access to either pelleted food (n = 8) or a palatable liquid di et (n = 8). Baclofen (2-4 mg/kg i.p.) significantly increased the cons umption of both the pelleted and the liquid foods. The increased intak e of the liquid diet (i) argues against the involvement of non-specifi c gnawing in the increased consumption of the solid food by baclofen, and (ii) suggests that the inhibition of water intake produced by bacl ofen is not due to interference with the mechanical aspects of drinkin g, such as licking on a drinking spout, or the swallowing of liquid.