Investigation of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide immunoreactivity in feeding-related brain areas of CCK-1 receptor deficient rats

Introduction: Cholecystokinin (CCK) mediates digestion and has stimulatory effects on the vagus nerve, induces satiation by decreasing the rate of gastric emptying. Naturally occurring mutation of the CCK-1 receptor gene in the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats results in hyperphagia, obesity and the development of type II diabetes. Cocaine- and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) peptide is expressed in the myenteric plexuses of small and large intestine, as well as in brain areas involved in the control of appetite and has an overall anorexigenic effect. Recently, we have shown that CART immun…