Calcitonin: Inhibitory Effect on Eating in Rats

Abstract

Subcutaneous and intracerebral injections of calcitonin inhibited feeding in rats. The anorectic activity of calcitonin was destroyed by exposing the hormone to heat, trypsin, or hydrogen peroxide. Calcitonin did not produce a conditioned taste aversion to saccharin, and maximum inhibition of feeding occurred 4.5 to 8.3 hours after subcutaneous administration. It is concluded that calcitonin inhibits feeding by acting directly on the central nervous system.