Effect of centrally and peripherally administered β‐endorphin on fooc intake in rats

A role for β-EP in the regulation of food intake has been suggested as a contributory factor in the obesity of some genetically obese animal models. Studies undertaken to determine whether continuous administration of β-EP could alter food intake in normal rats are described. The present studies demonstrated that continuous subcutaneous infusion with β-EP was ineffective in modulating food intake, but that acute intraperitoneal or intracerebroventricular administration stimulated food intake in previously food deprived or satiated animals, respectively. These results suggest that β-EP is not involved in the long-term regulation of food intake, but under certain conditions it may play some role in the regulation of individual meals. It is speculated that the latter activity may result from the action of other appetitive regulatory hormones.