Interactive eff ects of peripheral and central administration of LPS with inhibition of CRF receptors on food intake in neonatal chicks

Anorexia is a part of the acute phase response (APR). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is frequently used to mimic APR and induces anorexia. Th e mechanism underlying anorexia associated with APR in chicks is not well understood. In the present study, the possible involvement of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) on anorexic eff ects of LPS in neonatal chicks was investigated. For this aim, diff erent doses of LPS were administrated via both intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intraperitoneal (IP) routes in order to assess its eff ects on chick’s food intake. Subsequently, the eff ect of ICV injection of astressin, a CRF receptor antagonist, on anorexia induced by ICV and IP administration of LPS was investigated. Food intake was signifi cantly decreased following either central or systemic administration of LPS. ICV co -injection of astressin and LPS signifi cantly diminished anorexic eff ects of central LPS. However, anorexia induced by peripheral LPS was not attenuated by central injection of astressin. Th ese data indicated that the brain CRF receptors are involved in central LPS-induced anorexia in chicks.