Central administration of motilin stimulates feeding in rats

Abstract Peripheral administration of motilin has been found to stimulate feeding behavior in rats. Since motilin immunoreactivity has been found in discrete brain sites, we tested the effect of motilin administered intracer-ebroventricularly on feeding in rats. Injection of 1 μg of motilin significantly increased food consumption at 2 hours, 22 hours, and at 24 hours in animals tested either at or 2 hr prior to lights out. Motilin also significantly increased food consumption in animals maintained under continuous lights-on at 2 hours (488% of control), 22 hours (128% of control), and at 24 hours (140% of control).