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N-acetylcysteine (NAC) decreases binge eating in a rodent model
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) decreases binge eating in a rodent model

Matthew M Hurley, Jon M Resch, Brian Maunze, Mogen M Frenkel, David A Baker and SuJean Choi
International journal of obesity (2005), Vol.40(7), pp.1183-1186
07/2016
DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2016.31
PMCID: PMC4935583
PMID: 26975440
url
https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.31View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Binge eating behavior involves rapid consumption of highly palatable foods leading to increased weight gain. Feeding in binge disorders resembles other compulsive behaviors, many of which are responsive to N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), which is a cysteine prodrug often used to promote non-vesicular glutamate release by a cystine-glutamate antiporter. To examine the potential for NAC to alter a form of compulsive eating, we examined the impact of NAC on binge eating in a rodent model. Specifically, we monitored consumption of standard chow and a high-fat, high carbohydrate western diet (WD) in a rodent limited-access binge paradigm. Prior to each session, rats received either a systemic or intraventricular injection of NAC. Both systemic and central administration of NAC resulted in significant reductions of binge eating the WD without decreasing standard chow consumption. The reduction in WD was not attributable to general malaise since NAC did not produce condition taste aversion. These results are consistent with the clinical evidence of NAC to reduce or reverse compulsive behaviors such as drug addiction, skin picking, and hair pulling.

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