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Evaluating the efficacy of the selective orexin 1 receptor antagonist nivasorexant in an animal model of binge-eating disorder

M. Steiner, L. Botticelli, G. Bergamini, Emanuela Micioni Di Bonaventura, J. Gatfield, Jodi T. Williams, Alexander Treiber, C. Vaillant et al.

International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2024

10 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

Test the efficacy of the selective orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) antagonist (SO1RA) nivasorexant in an animal model of binge-eating disorder (BED) and study its dose-response relationship considering free brain concentrations and calculated OX1R occupancy. Compare nivasorexant's profile to that of other, structurally diverse SO1RAs. Gain understanding of potential changes in orexin-A (OXA) neuropeptide and deltaFosB (ΔFosB) protein expression possibly underlying the development of the binge-eating phenotype in the rat model used.

METHOD

Binge-like eating of highly palatable food (HPF) in rats was induced through priming by intermittent, repeated periods of dieting and access to HPF, followed by an additional challenge with acute stress. Effects of nivasorexant were compared to the SO1RAs ACT-335827 and IDOR-1104-2408. OXA expression in neurons and neuronal fibers as well as ΔFosB and OXA-ΔFosB co-expression was studied in relevant brain regions using immuno- or immunofluorescent histochemistry.

RESULTS

All SO1RAs dose-dependently reduced binge-like eating with effect sizes comparable to the positive control topiramate, at unbound drug concentrations selectively blocking brain OX1Rs. Nivasorexant's efficacy was maintained upon chronic dosing and under conditions involving more frequent stress exposure. Priming for binge-like eating or nivasorexant treatment resulted in only minor changes in OXA or ΔFosB expression in few brain areas.

DISCUSSION

Selective OX1R blockade…

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