Suppression of Food Intake inTriatoma infestans byN-Substituted Methyl Maleamates

A series of methyl esters of N-substituted (Z)- and (E)-maleamic acids were synthesized and their effect on food intake measured on fifth-instar nymphs of Triatoma infestans. Suppression of food intake was found only for the (Z)isomers. The initial reaction rate of the synthesized compounds with glutathione (GSH) was calculated from the reaction in vitro of the (Z)-isomers. No reaction was observed with the (E)-isomers. Good correlation between the suppression of food intake, measured by its ED,, (effective dose that inhibited feeding of 50% of the population) and the initial reaction rate with GSH and the hydrophobic parameter pi, was found.