Regulation Of Food Consumption Research Articles

A dorsal hippocampus-prodynorphinergic dorsolateral septum-to-lateral hypothalamus circuit mediates contextual gating of feeding.

Adaptive regulation of feeding depends on linkage of internal states and food outcomes with contextual cues. Human brain imaging has identified dysregulation of a hippocampal-lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) network in binge eating, but mechanistic instantiation of underlying cell-types and circuitry is lacking. Here, we identify an evolutionary conserved and discrete Prodynorphin (Pdyn)-expressing subpopulation of Somatostatin (Sst)-expressing inhibitory neurons in the dorsolateral septum (DLS) that receives primarily dorsal, but not ventral, hippocampal inputs. DLS(Pdyn) neurons inhibit LHA GABAergic neurons and confer context- and internal state-dependent calibration of feeding. Viral deletion of Pdyn in the DLS mimicked effects seen with optogenetic silencing of DLS Pdyn INs, suggesting a potential role for DYNORPHIN-KAPPA OPIOID RECEPTOR signaling in contextual regulation of food-seeking. Together, our findings illustrate how the dorsal hippocampus has evolved to recruit an ancient LHA feeding circuit module through Pdyn DLS inhibitory neurons to link contextual information with regulation of food consumption.

The role of central neurotransmitters in appetite regulation of broilers and layers: similarities and differences.

The importance of feeding as a vital physiological function, on the one hand, and the spread of complications induced by its disorder in humans and animals, on the other hand, have led to extensive research on its regulatory factors. Unfortunately, despite many studies focused on appetite, only limited experiments have been conducted on avian, and our knowledge of this species is scant. Considering this, the purpose of this review article is to examine the role of central neurotransmitters in regulating food consumption in broilers and layers and highlight the similarities and differences between these two strains. The methodology of this review study includes a comprehensive search of relevant literature on the topic using appropriate keywords in reliable electronic databases. Based on the findings, the central effect of most neurotransmitters on the feeding of broilers and laying chickens was similar, but in some cases, such as dopamine, ghrelin, nitric oxide, and agouti-related peptide, differences were observed. Also, the lack of conducting a study on the role of some neurotransmitters in one of the bird strains made it impossible to make an exact comparison. Finally, it seems that although there are general similarities in appetite regulatory mechanisms in meat and egg-type chickens, the long-term genetic selection appropriate to breeding goals (meat or egg production) has caused differences in the effect of some neurotransmitters. Undoubtedly, conducting future studies while completing the missing links can lead to a comprehensive understanding of this process and its manipulation according to the breeding purposes of chickens.

Penanganan Stunting Berbasis Pemilihan Pangan dan Pengaturan Pola Konsumsi Pangan di Kelurahan Pesisir Kecamatan Limapuluh Kota Pekanbaru

One problem of malnutrition that has become quite prominent recently is stunting. Stunting Impaired growth and development of children due to chronic malnutrition and recurrent infections, which is characterized by their body length or height being below the standards set by the minister in charge of government affairs in the health sector (Presidential Regulation No. 72 of 2021 concerning PPS). The problems faced by mothers of stunted children are a lack of knowledge about nutritious food and a lack of skills in managing food consumption in the family, especially in Pesisir Village, Limapuluh District, Pekanbaru City.Based on the problems above, the following solutions were formulated: 1) Increasing knowledge about nutritious food, 2) Increasing understanding in regulating food consumption in the household and 3) Providing assistance.The results of the evaluation through pre-test and post-test through counseling showed that there was an increase in knowledge of 60.61% or at sufficient criteria (Arikunto, 2006). These results indicate that before the outreach activity, some participants were already familiar with stunting and how to prevent and handle it. This can be explained because the Pesisir sub-district, Limapuluh District, Pekanbaru City is the highest locus of stunting (Pekanbaru City Health Service (e-PPGBM- 2022). With this condition, the Pesisir sub-district, Limapuluh District, Pekanbaru City is receiving serious attention to reduce the stunting rate, so there are many programs activities carried out by various agencies to reduce stunting rates. Apart from that, the team provided assistance in the form of 2 trays of eggs per family (60 eggs).

PROTESTANTISM – REGULATION OF CONSUMPTION

In the article, the author examines the gastronomic culture and its regulatory function, expressed in the regulation of eating behavior and food consumption by people through the existence of prohibitions and permits. In particular, it is indicated that such tools, as a rule, find their place in religious canons (codes of rules).
 Speaking about the religious regulation of consumption, the author examines Protestantism and its currents and trends. According to the results of the study, it was revealed that within the framework of Adventism, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc., there are tools for regulating food consumption that have a characteristic similarity with those in Judaism, Islam and Catholicism. Of course, Protestantism, being a denomination of Christianity, along with Catholicism, can borrow some rules and features. Meanwhile, drawing an analogy with these religions and confessions, we can talk about the existence of prohibited and permitted food, while in some areas of Protestantism restrictions are not as strict as in others.
 Religion, acting as a regulator of eating behavior, designates products originating from “unclean” and “pure” animals and birds. At the same time, in the Bible, the signs that make it possible to differentiate food have a symbolic meaning – “unclean” food sources symbolize mundanity, the impossibility of turning to God, the sinfulness of man.
 As a result, a gastronomic cultural layer is formed, within which the nutrition of believers, that is, the products they use daily, also taking into account national characteristics, not only have an impact on health, but also have a symbolic meaning of commitment to God, enlightenment, etc.
 According to the results of the study, the author formulated the factors that are important in determining eating behavior and consumption: a) symbolizing; b) cleansing; c) providing and d) adapting (relevant to the current situation of globalization of the world space and the technologization of life spheres).

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor differentially controls mossy cell activity across the dentate gyrus longitudinal axis.

Understanding the role of dentate gyrus (DG) mossy cells (MCs) in learning and memory has rapidly evolved due to increasingly precise methods for targeting MCs and for in vivo recording and activity manipulation in rodents. These studies have shown MCs are highly active in vivo, strongly remap to contextual manipulation, and that their inhibition or hyperactivation impairs pattern separation and location or context discrimination. Less well understood is how MC activity is modulated by neurohormonal mechanisms, which might differentially control the participation of MCs in cognitive functions during discrete states, such as hunger or satiety. In this study, we demonstrate that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a neuropeptide produced in the gut and the brain that regulates food consumption and hippocampal-dependent mnemonic function, might regulate MC function through expression of its receptor, GLP-1R. RNA-seq demonstrated that most, though not all, Glp1r in hippocampal principal neurons is expressed in MCs, and in situ hybridization revealed strong expression of Glp1r in hilar neurons. Glp1r-ires-Cre mice crossed with Ai14D reporter mice followed by co-labeling for the MC marker GluR2/3 revealed that almost all MCs in the ventral DG expressed Glp1r and that almost all Glp1r-expressing hilar neurons were MCs. However, only ~60% of dorsal DG MCs expressed Glp1r, and Glp1r was also expressed in small hilar neurons that were not MCs. Consistent with this expression pattern, peripheral administration of the GLP-1R agonist exendin-4 (5μg/kg) increased cFos expression in ventral but not dorsal DG hilar neurons. Finally, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from ventral MCs showed that bath application of exendin-4 (200 nM) depolarized MCs and increased action potential firing. Taken together, this study adds to known MC activity modulators a neurohormonal mechanism that may preferentially affect ventral DG physiology and may potentially be targetable by several GLP-1R pharmacotherapies already in clinical use.

Drosophila TRPγ is required in neuroendocrine cells for post-ingestive food selection.

The mechanism through which the brain senses the metabolic state, enabling an animal to regulate food consumption, and discriminate between nutritional and non-nutritional foods is a fundamental question. Flies choose the sweeter non-nutritive sugar, L-glucose, over the nutritive D-glucose if they are not starved. However, under starvation conditions, they switch their preference to D-glucose, and this occurs independent of peripheral taste neurons. Here, we found that eliminating the TRPγ channel impairs the ability of starved flies to choose D-glucose. This food selection depends on trpγ expression in neurosecretory cells in the brain that express diuretic hormone 44 (DH44). Loss of trpγ increases feeding, alters the physiology of the crop, which is the fly stomach equivalent, and decreases intracellular sugars and glycogen levels. Moreover, survival of starved trpγ flies is reduced. Expression of trpγ in DH44 neurons reverses these deficits. These results highlight roles for TRPγ in coordinating feeding with the metabolic state through expression in DH44 neuroendocrine cells.

Metabolic Risk Factors with Stroke Among Indonesians

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death. It is not only in the world but also in Indonesia. Various factors that trigger the incidence of stroke are known as metabolic risk factors. This study aims to determine the risk of stroke caused by one or more metabolic risk factors. This study used a retrospective cohort design from secondary data from the 2007 and 2014 Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS). The population was the population aged 15 years and over. The sample was the population who did not experience a stroke in 2007 as many as 7,707 people. The sampling technique used was multistage random sampling. The results showed that as much as 1.8% of Indonesia’s population aged at least 15 years had a stroke. People with three metabolic risk factors had a 39.9 times higher risk of having a stroke than people without metabolic risk factors (95% CI: 29.3-54.4) after controlling for age, sex, and physical activity. Hypertension was a metabolic risk factor with the greatest risk for having a stroke. Therefore, preventive practices such as controlling and monitoring blood pressure, blood glucose levels and body weight can be carried out through regulating food consumption and engaging in regular physical activity.

Wanting More, Seeing Less: Hunger Reduces Calorie Evaluations.

Calorie estimates play an important role in the regulation of food consumption. Lower calorie estimates contribute to increased consumption, and consequently increase the risk of obesity. The current work presents a novel contribution demonstrating the biasing effect of hunger on calorie evaluations. Study 1 (N = 70) was a field study, where participants visiting a cafeteria estimated calories in four baked goods, with measures taken of their hunger level and their having had lunch. Study 2 was a lab study, where half of the participants (N = 65) fasted for five hours prior to the study, and then estimated calories in three baked goods. Study 1 found lower calorie estimations by hungry participants (M = 255.52, SD = 112.55) relative to lower hunger participants (M = 311.94, SD = 135.85): F(1, 67) = 6.07, p = 0.02. In study 2, the average estimated calories was lower for fasting participants (M = 253.11, SD = 126.13) than for non-fasting participants (M = 301.75, SD = 145.26). The studies demonstrate that motivations generated by physical state (hunger) alter calorie evaluations. This finding is surprising given that motivation generally leads to estimating more of a desired quantity. The study also presents a novel domain of biases in calorie estimation. This reduction in calorie estimates due to hunger may occur if calories are assessed relative to needs, or serve to allow people to justify increased food consumption. Accounting for such biases, particularly in cases of low nutrition literacy, is important in order to reduce the overeating that may be generated by calorie estimation biases.

Maternal separation alters the reward system of activity-based anorexia rats

Maternal separation (MS) is a known chronic stressor in the postnatal period and when associated with another paradigm like the activity-based anorexia (ABA) rat model, causes different effects in the two sexes. In ABA females, the separation leads to increased hyperactivity and anxiety reduction, whereas, in males, the separation induces decreased locomotor activity without similar reduction of anxiety-like behaviors as observed in females. To understand the mechanisms altered by MS in synergy with the induction of the anorexic-like phenotype, we considered the reward system, which involves neurons synthesizing dopamine (DA) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), substantia nigra pars compacta, and serotoninergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Moreover, we analyzed the orexin circuit in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), which affects DA synthesis in the VTA and is also known to regulate food consumption and locomotor activity. Rats of both sexes were exposed to the two paradigms (MS and ABA), leading to four experimental groups for each sex: non-separated control (CON), non-separated ABA groups (ABA), MS control (MSCON), and MS plus ABA groups (MSABA). Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to determine quantitative differences in the number of cells expressing DA, orexin, and serotonin (5-HT) among the experimental groups. The results showed that, in the DA system, the effect of MS was more evident in females than in males, with a substantial increase in DA cells in the VTA of MSABA. However, the analysis of the orexin system revealed a similar cellular increment in the LHA in the non-separated ABA groups of both sexes. Regarding 5-HT, there was an opposite effect in males and females of the MSABA groups, with only females showing a greater density of 5-HT cells. The changes in the reward system could partially explain the behavioral data: the hyperactivity, weight loss, and decreased anxiety levels of the MSABA females could be linked to an increase in DA and 5-HT cells, whereas in males, MS could mitigate the behavioral effects of the ABA protocol affecting the anxiety levels and locomotor activity through a lack of increased activation of the reward system.

Cognitive and hormonal regulation of appetite for food presented in the olfactory and visual modalities

The ability to regulate appetite is essential to avoid food over-consumption. The desire for a particular food can be triggered by its odor before it is even seen. Using fMRI, we identify the neural systems modulated by cognitive regulation when experiencing appetizing food stimuli presented in both olfactory and visual modalities, while being hungry. Regulatory instruction modulated bids for food items and inhalation patterns. Distinct brain regions were observed for up and down appetite-regulation, respectively the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and dorsolateral PFC. Food valuation engaged the ventromedial PFC and bilateral striatum. Furthermore, we identified a neurobiological marker for successful appetite upregulation. Individuals with higher blood levels of ghrelin were better at exercising up-regulation, and engaged the dmPFC more. These findings characterize the neural circuitry regulating food consumption within the healthy population and highlight how cognitive regulation modulates olfactomotor measures of olfaction.

Disorderly eating in contemporary women’s writing

The Introduction presents the rationale for the special issue, and engages with key scholarship in the field. It makes the case for considering eating disorders in the wider context of ‘disorderly eating’, both as a sociological phenomenon and a recurrent literary concern, granted the importance of ordering and regulating food consumption for community cohesion. It is particularly concerned to ask what is, and what is not, specific about the contemporary late-capitalist period, which has seen such an explosion of eating disorders, in the context of ever more disorderly eating. We ask what we can learn from the elaboration of the disorderly preparing, serving, sharing and eating of food specifically in contemporary women’s writing in French, Spanish, English, Italian and German. The Introduction adopts a cross-cultural perspective to suggest both some commonalities and some contextual specificities to the lived and represented experience of eating and disorder across sexes, classes, generations and ethnicities.

Sistemas alimentarios globales y ley de etiquetado de alimentos en Chile

Esse trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o papel do governo chileno frente ao modelo de produção corporativa de alimentos, avaliando a política pública de rotulagem desenvolvida pelo Ministério da Saúde nos últimos anos através da Lei 20.606. Apresentam-se alguns resultados de leis de rotulagem de alimentos sobre as mudanças nos padrões de consumo, assim como seus primeiros resultados no Chile. No contexto atual, o Estado perde importância como regulador da produção e consumo de alimentos no mundo, o que faz com que o regime corporativo tenha mais liberdade para entrar na dieta familiar. O trabalho baseia-se na abordagem dos regimes alimentares para discutir o papel do Estado na regulação do consumo alimentar. São analisados estudos nacionais e internacionais que medem o impacto da implementação de políticas governamentais de rotulagem de alimentos na redução ou contenção dos níveis de excesso de peso ou obesidade. Verifica-se que, embora os mecanismos de rotulagem conduzam a uma redução global do consumo de produtos ultra processados e ajudem as indústrias a incorporar mais nutrientes nos seus alimentos, o seu consumo não é erradicado porque a população com menos renda não tem melhores alternativas para substituí-los. Ademais, políticas complementares são necessárias, como incentivos aos mercados alternativos, e com subsídios e impostos sobre os alimentos ultraprocessados.

Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R) Gene as the Main Gene for Rapid Growth Selection in Beef Cattle

Genetic improvement for economic traits such as growth is important in beef cattle selection program. This paper discusses melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene as a candidate gene for rapid growth based on its function, location and pathway, as well as its polymorphism and identified genotypes associated with economic traits, and its application as a marker-assisted selection. MC4R is a prominent gene encoding growth traits and has a critical role in mediating the effect of leptin in regulating food consumption and energy balance. Many identified MC4R gene polymorphisms are associated with growth traits. The MC4R gene, therefore, is considered as a functional candidate gene for growth traits and can be used as a marker in selection program based on molecular genetics. The use of molecular markers such as MC4R gene, therefore, can be applied in genetic improvement program for growth traits in cattle. By using MC4R gene, the efforts to build breeding system in small populations can be proposed. For instance, with an effective population size (Ne) of about 40 heads, the first generation (G1) will be obtained with a composition of GG 61.1%, CG 33.3% and CC 5.6% and male and female ratio of 178:11 and generates ideal Ne of 41 heads. In the third generation, therefore, GG composition will be 100%. The results of molecular analysis can be further used as a guideline in the development and genetic improvement strategies of beef cattle.

GABAB Receptor Signaling in the Mesolimbic System Suppresses Binge-like Consumption of a High-Fat Diet.

SummaryBinge eating could contribute to the development of obesity, and previous studies suggest that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type B receptor (GABABR) signaling is involved in the regulation of binge eating. Here, we show that time-restricted access to a high-fat diet (HFD) induces binge-like eating behavior in wild-type mice. HFD consumption during restricted time was significantly increased in corticostriatal neuron-specific GABABR-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, the GABABR agonist baclofen suppressed HFD intake during restricted time in wild-type mice but not in corticostriatal or dopaminergic neuron-specific GABABR-deficient mice. In contrast, there were no significant differences in food consumption among genotypes under ad libitum access to HFD. Thus, our data show that the mesolimbic system regulates food consumption under time-restricted but not ad libitum access to HFD and have identified a mechanism by which GABABR signaling suppresses binge-like eating of HFD.

Lassitude: The emotion of being sick

Abstract Our long co-evolutionary history with infectious agents likely began soon after the rise of the first single-celled organisms. This ongoing evolutionary arms race has generated complex host adaptations, many highly conserved, for resisting infection (e.g., innate and acquired immune systems, infection-sensitive developmental programs, sexual reproduction). A large body of evidence suggests that, in humans, pathogen-avoidance disgust is an emotion that motivates avoidance of cues associated with pathogens, thereby reducing infection. However, the question of whether there is an emotion that coordinates resistance to active infection has received less attention. We propose that lassitude is such an emotion. It is triggered by cues of active infection and coordinates the fight against infection by: (a) reducing energetically expensive movement to make more energy available to the immune system, (b) reducing exposure to additional infections and injuries that would compound the immune system's workload, (c) promoting thermoregulatory behaviors that facilitate immunity, (d) regulating food consumption to be beneficial for the host but detrimental to pathogens, and (e) deploying strategies that elicit caregiving behavior from social allies. Lassitude exhibits the core features of an emotion – it is triggered by cues of an adaptive problem (i.e., infection), generates a characteristic facial expression (e.g., slack facial muscles, drooping eyelids, slightly parted lips), and has distinct qualia (e.g., profound tiredness, reduced appetite, feelings of vulnerability, altered temperature perception, increased pain sensitivity). We outline the information-processing structure of lassitude, review existing evidence, suggest directions for future research, and discuss implications of lassitude for models of human evolution.

Agouti-Related Protein 2 Is a New Player in the Teleost Stress Response System

Agouti-related protein (AgRP) is a hypothalamic regulator of food consumption in mammals. However, AgRP has also been detected in circulation, but a possible endocrine role has not been examined. Zebrafish possess two agrp genes: hypothalamically expressed agrp1, considered functionally equivalent to the single mammalian agrp, and agrp2, which is expressed in pre-optic neurons and uncharacterized pineal gland cells and whose function is not well understood. By ablation of AgRP1-expressing neurons and knockout of the agrp1 gene, we show that AgRP1 stimulates food consumption in the zebrafish larvae. Single-cell sequencing of pineal agrp2-expressing cells revealed molecular resemblance to retinal-pigment epithelium cells, and anatomic analysis shows that these cells secrete peptides, possibly into the cerebrospinal fluid. Additionally, based on AgRP2 peptide localization and gene knockout analysis, we demonstrate that pre-optic AgRP2 is a neuroendocrine regulator of the stress axis that reduces cortisol secretion. We therefore suggest that the ancestral role of AgRP was functionally partitioned in zebrafish by the two AgRPs, with AgRP1 centrally regulating food consumption and AgRP2 acting as a neuroendocrine factor regulating the stress axis.

Modulation of olfactory-driven behavior by metabolic signals: role of the piriform cortex

Olfaction is one of the major sensory modalities that regulates food consumption and is in turn regulated by the feeding state. Given that the olfactory bulb has been shown to be a metabolic sensor, we explored whether the anterior piriform cortex (aPCtx)-a higher olfactory cortical processing area-had the same capacity. Using immunocytochemical approaches, we report the localization of Kv1.3 channel, glucose transporter type 4, and the insulin receptor in the lateral olfactory tract and Layers II and III of the aPCtx. In current-clamped superficial pyramidal (SP) cells, we report the presence of two populations of SP cells: glucose responsive and non-glucose responsive. Using varied glucose concentrations and a glycolysis inhibitor, we found that insulin modulation of the instantaneous and spike firing frequency are both glucose dependent and require glucose metabolism. Using a plethysmograph to record sniffing frequency, rats microinjected with insulin failed to discriminate ratiometric enantiomers; considered a difficult task. Microinjection of glucose prevented discrimination of odorants of different chain-lengths, whereas injection of margatoxin increased the rate of habituation to repeated odor stimulation and enhanced discrimination. These data suggest that metabolic signaling pathways that are present in the aPCtx are capable of neuronal modulation and changing complex olfactory behaviors in higher olfactory centers.

Abstract 087: NPFF Receptors NPFF-R1 and NPFF-R2 in the Kidney: A Target for the Negative Control of Sodium Transport and Blood Pressure

The kidney is critical in the overall regulation of fluid, electrolyte balance and blood pressure (BP). The renal dopaminergic system inhibits sodium transport in almost all nephron segments and is responsible for ≥50% of renal sodium excretion under moderate sodium excess conditions and is considered anti-hypertensive. Neuropeptide FF (NPFF), a morphine-modulating peptide, regulates food consumption and cardiovascular function through its interaction with two receptors, NPFFR1 and NPFFR2. NPFFR2 is anti-hypertensive under “normal” salt intake but becomes pro-hypertensive when salt intake is “high”. The ultimate phenotype depends upon protein/protein interaction. Hence, we tested NPFFR2 and dopamine receptor interaction in vitro using renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs) and blood pressure in vivo in C57Bl/6J mice. NPFF is synthesized in RPT where NPFFR2 is expressed and co-localize with D 1 R. In RPTCs (n= 3-4/group), the D 1 R/D 5 R agonist fenoldopam (1 μM/30 min), increased cAMP production (4.23±0.56 pmol/mg/min vs . 2.54±0.19, vehicle; P<0.05) but was abrogated by co-treatment with NPFF (1 μM/30 (2.36±0.29 pmol/mg/min). Low NPFF (10 -10 and 10 -9 M) concentrations increased while higher concentrations had no effect (10 -8 and 10 -7 M), and slightly decreased (10 -6 M) cAMP production in RPTCs. Fenoldopam (1 μM/30 min) added to the basolateral side of polarized RPTCs grown in Transwells, increased intracellular Na + (117±4% versus the vehicle-treated control), indicating inhibition of basolateral Na + transport. This effect was prevented by co-treatment with NPFF (98±5%). Basolateral NPFF treatment alone decreased the intracellular Na + (-86.10±4.6%), indicating increased basolateral Na + transport and that renal NPFF may be a negative regulator of dopamine. In C57Bl/6J mice on 0.9% NaCl diet , renal-selective silencing of Npffr2 increased BP (115±3 vs 102±1 mmHg; P<0.05; n=3-5/group). By contrast, on 4% NaCl diet, renal-selective silencing of Npffr2 decreased BP (98±4 vs 113±3 mmHg; P<0.05; n=3-5/group), indicating that Npffr2 is antihypertensive on normal NaCl diet but pro-hypertensive on high NaCl diet. These contrasting effects may be due to D 1 R/D 5 R negative regulation of Npffr2 on normal salt diet which is lost when NaCl intake is increased.

Identification and characterization of mushroom body neurons that regulate fat storage in Drosophila

BackgroundIn an earlier study, we identified two neuronal populations, c673a and Fru-GAL4, that regulate fat storage in fruit flies. Both populations partially overlap with a structure in the insect brain known as the mushroom body (MB), which plays a critical role in memory formation. This overlap prompted us to examine whether the MB is also involved in fat storage homeostasis.MethodsUsing a variety of transgenic agents, we selectively manipulated the neural activity of different portions of the MB and associated neurons to decipher their roles in fat storage regulation.ResultsOur data show that silencing of MB neurons that project into the α’β’ lobes decreases de novo fatty acid synthesis and causes leanness, while sustained hyperactivation of the same neurons causes overfeeding and produces obesity. The α’β’ neurons oppose and dominate the fat regulating functions of the c673a and Fru-GAL4 neurons. We also show that MB neurons that project into the γ lobe also regulate fat storage, probably because they are a subset of the Fru neurons. We were able to identify input and output neurons whose activity affects fat storage, feeding, and metabolism. The activity of cholinergic output neurons that innervating the β’2 compartment (MBON-β’2mp and MBON-γ5β’2a) regulates food consumption, while glutamatergic output neurons innervating α’ compartments (MBON-γ2α’1 and MBON-α’2) control fat metabolism.ConclusionsWe identified a new fat storage regulating center, the α’β’ lobes of the MB. We also delineated the neuronal circuits involved in the actions of the α’β’ lobes, and showed that food intake and fat metabolism are controlled by separate sets of postsynaptic neurons that are segregated into different output pathways.

Short-Term Weight Loss Undermines Brain Regulation of Food Consumption

Post-prandial hyperglycemia has been shown to suppress appetite by modulating brain activity. We have observed that after weight loss, obese (OB) individuals exhibit increased hunger and decreased brain responses in regions associated with appetite control during hyperglycemia. This study aimed to investigate whether short-term weight loss can affect brain regulation of food intake during hyperglycemia in obesity. 14 healthy OB subjects (8F/6M, age 46±8 years, BMI 33.4±3.5 kg/m2) underwent functional MRI (fMRI) during a hyperglycemic clamp (200 mg/dl). Blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) brain activity was assessed while subjects viewed high calorie food pictures. Hunger was rated before and after the scan. Immediately after the scan, subjects had an ad libitum test meal. The study was repeated after an 8 week reduced calorie diet that caused 2.9±2.8 kg weight loss (p=0.002). Hunger significantly increased during the fMRI-clamp study after the diet (p=0.036), but not before the diet. Total calorie intake at the test meal nearly doubled after weight loss (978±492 vs. 1895±189 kcal, p<0.001). This was associated with a significant decrease in brain activity in regions modulating feeding behavior after the diet (p<0.001, Figure 1). These data suggest that short-term dieting diminishes glucose-induced neural control of appetite and food consumption, which may have important implications for weight loss maintenance. Disclosure W. Lam: None. D. Seo: None. C. Lacadie: None. C.P. Schmidt: None. S. Rosenberg: None. H. Hoang: None. J. Hwang: None. T. Constable: None. M. Savoye: None. R. Sinha: None. R. Sherwin: Other Relationship; Self; QuintilesIMS, MannKind Corporation. Research Support; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Other Relationship; Self; ICON plc. R. Belfort-DeAguiar: Research Support; Self; GlaxoSmithKline plc..