Intracerebroventricular Injection of Glutathione Suppresses Food Intake of Neonatal Chicks

It is well known that a single deficiency or excess of a Sulfur-containing Amino Acid (SAA), a major determinant of the glutathione concentration in some tissues, decreased food intake of chicks. To clarify the central function of glutathione on food intake, the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of reduced Glutathione (GSH) (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 μmol) was investigated in fasting neonatal chicks. Food intake was suppressed by GSH in a dose-dependent manner over 120 min. It was suggested that the reduction in food intake induced by SAA excess, but not SAA deficiency, may be associated with GSH in the brain.