Abstract
Low protein diets are associated with increased lifespan and improved cardiometabolic health primarily in rodents, and likely improve human health. There is strong evidence that moderate to severe reduction in dietary protein content markedly influences caloric intake and energy expenditure, which is often followed by a decrease in body weight and adiposity in animal models. While the neuroendocrine signals that trigger hyperphagic responses to protein restriction are better understood, there is accumulating evidence that increased sympathetic flux to brown adipose tissue, fibroblast growth factor-21 and serotonergic signaling are important for the thermogenic effects of low protein diets. This mini-review specifically focuses on the effect of low protein diets with variable carbohydrate and lipid content on energy intake and expenditure, and the underlying mechanisms of actions by these diets. Understanding the mechanisms by which protein restriction influences energy balance may unveil novel approaches for treating metabolic disorders in humans and improve production efficiency in domestic animals.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONEnergy balance is a fundamental biological process that is dependent on a complex interplay of calories consumed as macronutrients (carbohydrate, fat, and protein), and energy expended and stored
Energy balance is a fundamental biological process that is dependent on a complex interplay of calories consumed as macronutrients, and energy expended and stored
We showed that the mRNA abundance of tryptophan hydroxylase 1, an enzyme involved in biosynthesis of serotonin, and serotonin transporter is increased in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of rats fed with low protein diets which might suggest a paracrine or autocrine control of low protein enhanced EE by local 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT or serotonin)
Summary
Energy balance is a fundamental biological process that is dependent on a complex interplay of calories consumed as macronutrients (carbohydrate, fat, and protein), and energy expended and stored. A dysregulation of the mechanisms that sense and signal dietary nutrients in the gut may predispose to obesity and metabolic complications. The intake of protein is tightly regulated and dietary protein restriction is purported to extend lifespan, improve energy balance and cardiometabolic health [1]; the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We review the potential mechanisms by which dietary protein restriction modulates energy homeostasis to alter energy intake and energy expenditure (EE)
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