Anorexic properties of three monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

The anorexic properties of 3 monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, pargyline, tranylcypromine and nialamide were determined 24 hr after their intra-peritoneal administration. The duration of anorexia occurring after the peripheral administration of the dose of pargyline commonly used in conjunction with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to enhance its dopamine-depleting properties was also determined. Body weight regulation and the control of food and water intake were severely impaired 24 hr after the administration of the three highest doses of pargyline, tranylcypromine and nialamide employed. Impairment in the ability to regulate body weight lasted for as long as 6 days in some animals injected with 50 mg/kg of pargyline. These findings bring to light the problems in interpretation of results from studies which employ MAO inhibitors and 6-OHDA simultaneously to enhance dopamine depleting properties of 6-OHDA.