Effect of three anorectic drugs on brain GABA levels and synthesis in the Zucker rat.

1. Genetically obese Zucker rats and their lean littermates were submitted to a subchronic treatment with fenfluramine, mazindol and amphetamine. GABA levels and synthesis index were measured in different brain areas. 2. GABA levels, similar in obese and lean controls, were not changed after the three treatments. 3. A higher synthesis index of GABA was found in lean rats, in the striatum after mazindol and in the hypothalamus after amphetamine. 4. The three drugs increased the synthesis index of GABA in the remainder of the brain of both obese and lean rats.