Naloxone blocks that portion of feeding driven by sweet taste in food-restricted rats

A study of the effect of naloxone on normal and sweet chow intake in schedule-fed and food-deprived rats reveals that sweet chow intake is more effectively lowered by naloxone than normal chow intake in rats subject to chronic food-deprivation. The potency of naloxone to inhibit feeding reduces with the magnitude of energy deficit in the rats. Palatability and deficit have a synergistic effect in determining food intake level.