Bombesin reduces food intake in lean man by a cholecystokinin-independent mechanism.

This double blind study was undertaken to determine whether infusion of bombesin (BBS) inhibits the intake of a carbohydrate-rich meal in nine lean healthy subjects and whether inhibition of food intake by BBS is mediated by cholecystokinin (CCK). During infusion of BBS, the amount of food eaten was decreased compared to that after saline infusion (482 +/- 74 vs. 602 +/- 68 g; P < 0.01). Subjective criteria of satiation were also significantly affected by BBS infusion (P < 0.05). Administration of the CCK receptor antagonist loxiglumide (CR1505) to six of the subjects did not prevent the decrease in food intake due to BBS (365 +/- 69 g) or the subjective criteria for satiety. Furthermore, the amount of food eaten during loxiglumide treatment alone (537 +/- 109 g) was not different from that during control saline infusion. In conclusion, infusion of BBS inhibits the intake of a carbohydrate-rich meal by a CCK-independent mechanism.