Bimatoprost promotes satiety and attenuates body weight in rats fed standard or obesity-promoting diets.

Abstract Background Bimatoprost negatively regulates adipogenesis in vitro and likely participates in a negative feedback loop on anandamide-induced adipogenesis. Here, we investigate the broader metabolic effects of bimatoprost action in vivo in rats under both normal state and obesity-inducing conditions. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were a fed standard chow (SC) diet in conjunction with dermally applied bimatoprost treatment for a period of 9–10 weeks. Body weight gain, energy expenditure, food intake, and hormones associated with satiety were measured. Gastric emptying was also separately evaluated. In obesity-promoting diet studies, rats were fed a cafeteria diet (CAF) and gross weight, fat accumulation in SQ, visceral fat and liver was evaluated together with standard serum chemistry. Results Chronic bimatoprost administration attenuated weight gain in rats fed either standard or obesity-promoting diets over a 9–10 weeks. Bimatoprost increased satiety as measured by decreased food intake, gastric emptying and circulating gut hormone levels. Additionally, SQ and visceral fat mass was distinctly affected by treatment. Bimatoprost increased satiety as measured by decreased food intake, gastric emptying and circulating gut hormone levels. Conclusions These findings suggest that bimatoprost (and possibly prostamide F2α) regulates energy homeostasis through actions on dietary intake. These actions likely counteract the metabolic actions of anandamide through the endocannabinoid system potentially revealing a new pathway that could be exploited for therapeutic development.