Anorexigenic action of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the goldfish: feeding-induced changes in the expression of mRNAs for PACAP and its receptors in the brain, and locomotor response to central injection.

Our recent research has indicated that intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) suppresses food intake in the goldfish. We therefore examined feeding- and fasting-induced changes in the expression of mRNAs for PACAP and its receptors in the goldfish brain, and the effect of ICV administration of synthetic PACAP on locomotor activity in the goldfish. Semiquantitative analysis revealed that the expression of mRNAs for PACAP and the PAC1 receptor was significantly increased by excessive feeding (daily food supply at >or=5% of the body weight [BW]) for 7 days. ICV administration of PACAP at 20 pmol/g BW induced a significant decrease in locomotor activity during the 60-min post-treatment observation period. These results suggest that PACAP may have an anorexigenic action via hypomotility in goldfish.