The tachykinin NH2-senktide, a selective neurokinin B receptor agonist, is a very potent inhibitor of salt appetite in the rat.

The tachykinin peptide [Asp5.6, MePhe8]substance P(5-11) (NH2-senktide), a senktide analogue lacking the N-terminal succinyl group, is a selective and metabolically stable NK-3 receptor agonist. In the present study it potently inhibited salt appetite induced by sodium depletion in rats. Argo-neurokinin B, too, inhibited salt appetite, but was less potent than NH2-senktide. Neither peptide inhibited drinking behaviour induced by subcutaneous hypertonic NaCl. NH2-senktide slightly inhibited angiotensin-induced drinking, while Argo-neurokinin B was ineffective. On the other hand, eledoisin was a potent inhibitor in the 3 behavioural tests. Present results indicate that activation of NK-3 receptors is involved in the antinatriorexic action of tachykinins, and that different receptor subtypes might be involved in the different effects of tachykinins on the rat ingestive behaviour.