Apoptosis in rat jejunal mucosa is regulated partly through the central nervous system, which controls feeding behavior

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether central nervous system‐related feeding behavior regulates mucosal apoptosis in rat small intestines. Methods: The test solutions used in this study were an H1 receptor antagonist (chlorpheniramine maleate), 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose, leptin, and 1‐deoxy‐D‐glucosamine (2‐amino‐1,5‐anhydro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucitol). Test solutions were injected into the third cerebroventricles of rats. Feeding behavior and jejunal apoptosis were evaluated both with and without truncal vagotomy. Intestinal apoptosis was evaluated by percentage fragmented DNA, electrophoresis, and TUNEL staining. Results: Chlorpheniramine and 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose elicited feeding, whereas leptin and 1‐deoxy‐D‐glucosamine suppressed feeding. The test solutions, which elicited feeding (0.24 and 24 µmol/rat of chlorpheniramine and 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose, respectively), suppressed mucosal apoptosis in the rat jejunum 1 h after cerebroventricular infusion. In contrast, the test solutions, which suppressed feeding (8 and 24 µmol/rat of leptin and 1‐deoxy‐D‐glucosamine, respectively), induced jejunal mucosal apoptosis 3 h after infusion. The effects of the test solutions on feeding behavior and changes in apoptosis were not affected by truncal vagotomy. Conclusion: The central nervous system, which regulates feeding behavior, might control intestinal function through the regulation of intestinal apoptosis.