Gut-brain signalling

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Gut-brain signalling describes the interaction between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, and how secretion of varying hormones from different areas of the body causes appetite enhancing and satiety signals to be sent to the brain. The hormones that have been most intensely studied are: ghrelin, obestatin, cholecystokinin (CCK), GLP-1, peptide YY (PYY) and insulin which all play major roles in appetite regulation. The vagus nerve is also a key mediator of regulation, and all of these inputs are processed by areas in the brain such as the hypothalamus and the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS).

Anorexic Signals

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone synthesised and secreted by L-cells in the mucosal epithelium of the duodenum, and which is released in response to the presence of partially digested lipids and proteins. CCK inhibits gastric emptying and stimulates the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the gall bladder by acting at CCK-A receptors (mainly found in the periphery but also found in some areas of the CNS). Because gastric emptying is inhibited, the partially digested lipids and proteins are exposed to the digestive enzymes and bile so are further broken down. As the lipids and proteins are broken down, CCK secretion declines.

CCK acts as a ‘gatekeeper’ for the response of other gut-brain signalling hormones on the afferent vagal neurons. At low levels (after fasting), CCK stimulates the expression of receptors associated with the stimulation of food intake, including receptors for melanin concentrating hormone (MCH)-1 and [[cannabinoid] CB1 receptors. At high levels (after food consumption), MCH-1 and CB1 receptors are down regulated. Therefore CCK present at a high or low concentration can affect how afferent vagal neurons respond to other neurohormones.

In rats, CCK inhibits food intake in younger individuals more effectively than in older individuals. It also has a greater effect in males than in females.


Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone secreted from L-cells in the mucosal epithelium of the duodenum and small intestine. It is derived from the pro-glucagon gene, and is cecreted into the circulation in response to the presence of nutrients. It acts at the pancreas where it stimulates insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon secretion, and hence is under investigation as a potential treatment for diabetes mellitus. It also increases insulin sensitivity.

GLP-1 also acts on inhibitory neurons in the arcuate nucleus, part of the hypothalamus, via the caudal brainstem. Activation of these inhibitory neurons induces satiety and decreases food intake/hunger. It also decreases gastric emptying so adds to the feeling of being ‘full’. At higher concentrations, GLP-1 causes nausea, and can induce conditioned taste aversion (CTA) where the brain associates the taste of a certain food with being toxic (usually occurs when an individual consumes a food that had made them sick).

In obese individuals, GLP-1 secretion is decreased. When weight is lost in obese individuals GLP-1 secretion returns to normal (so GLP-1 could contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity). GLP-1 receptor agonists have been targeted as a potential therapy for obesity. GLP-1 itself is not suitable as a clinical treatment for obesity as it has a very short half life (about two minutes).

Peptide YY (PYY) is a 36- amino acid peptide that is secreted from endocrine cells (L-cells) in the ileum and colon, [1] gaining its name from the amino acid tyrosine residues (“Y”) being found at the ends of its structures. PYY3-36 is dominant in the two endogenous forms in circulation with both affecting different Y-receptors found through out the central nervous system, including the vagal nerve and within different brain regions, particularly the brain stem and hypothalamus. [2] During fasting, plasma concentrations of PYY are low, but they rapidly increase after food intake, particularly high protein meals [3][4],(within 15 min) until a peak at 1-2 hours after the meal. [1] PYY acts as an "ileal brake" to delay gastric emptying.

PYY is mostly associated with satiety regulation where high levels correlate with high satiety. [2] It has been shown to reduce feeding in rodents and humans [1], a correlation has been proven between high levels of PYY and low markers of adiposity and Obese mice have been found to have low PYY circulation levels. [3] It is thought to be a factor involved in food intake reduction after bariatric surgery. [5] Gio et al. (2006) also found a negative correlation between PYY circulation levels and waist circumference, suggesting it as a contributing factor to energy expenditure and lipid metabolism. [6] PYY3-36 expression has also been shown to be affected by other areas of the brain, namely those connected with reward and pleasure - PYY may be the ‘switch’ between homeostatic and pleasure controlled eating. [7]


Insulin is a hormone secreted into the blood by the pancreatic β-cells in response to glucose intake. [8] Increased glucose causes secretion of other gut hormones, Glucose-Dependent Insulinotrophic Peptide (GIP) and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, which directly cause the secretion of Insulin from the Pancreas. [9] With receptors in the hypothalamus, including the Arcuate Nucleus (ARC), cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus, insulin signalling in the brain causes a reduction in food intake and body weight [10] in the ARC, it causes increased synthesis of POMC and inhibits NPY plus AgRP production, therefore increasing appetite inhibition.[11] Insulin also enhances the efficacy of systemic CCK in the brain to reduce overall food intake. [12] Reduced levels in insulin results in increased eating and weight gain.[13]

Insulin has an important long-term role in energy homeostasis [12] and metabolism control. Its secretion levels correlate to the degree of adiposity within the subject[8] and it acts as a continuous message to the brain concerning the amount of fat within the body [13] and contributes to the long term regulation of body energy homeostasis. [13] [8] Insulin signalling in the ARC directly affects the liver via the vagus nerve, inhibiting endogenous glucose production [11] and facilitating glucose uptake by the muscles, liver and other tissues. [13] It also promotes fat storage as triglycerides and prevents fat breakdown thus inhibiting fat oxidation and further promoting glucose uptake in cells. [14]


Obestatin is a sibling of ghrelin from preproghrelin identified in 2005.[15] Obestatin is found in the stomach, with most obestatin-producing cells found in the basal part of the mucosa.[16] Obestatin inhibits food intake and therefore opposes the effects of ghrelin. Obestatin reduces body weight gain, gastric empting, and also suppresses intestinal motility.[16] Some studies suggest that obestatin also has further physiological functions including regulation of energy homeostasis, cell proliferation, hormone secretion and inhibition of thirst.[17] Obestatin’s role in gut-brain signalling and the mechanisms that result in its inhibition of appetite are still unclear .

Orexigenic Signals

Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid brain-gut peptide -cleaved from preproghrelin.[18] It is synthesised and secreted primarily by endocrine cells in the stomach, with appetite-inducing activities.[19][20] Initially Ghrelin was identified as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R).[18] Endogenous levels of ghrelin change according to nutritional status; with levels increasing during fasting and immediately decreasing after food intake, providing evidence that it may be involved in food initiation. Administration of ghrelin (centrally and peripherally) results in appetite stimulation and increased food intake. Circulating levels of ghrelin are lower in obese people and are negatively correlated with BMI.

Ghrelin can cross the blood-brain barrier, and its effects on eating behaviour are thought to be mediated mainly via the arcuate nucleus, where it activates neurons that express the appetite stimulating peptides neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP).[21][20]

However, the receptors through which ghrelin acts are expressed in some other parts of the brain and in peripheral tissues, and ghrelin also influences many other biological actions including effects such as gastrointestinal (GI) motility-stimulating gastric emptying, cardiovascular function, immunity, inflammation, pancreatic function, hormone secretion and memory among others.[18] .[18] It is still unclear by what mechanism and to what extent ghrelin plays a role in food initiation, and some of ghrelin's orexigenic activities may involve the gastric afferent vagal nerve.

Role of the Vagus Nerve

Signaling from the gut can be both neural and hormonal. The role of vagal afferent neurones, which are found throughout the gastrointestinal system, is a key area of research to understand eating behaviours and tackle the obesity epidemic. Neural communication from the gut begins with the stomach; where afferent fibres are widely distributed to detect distension and stretch of the stomach walls [22]. The hormones released by the stomach and intestines mediate appetite and satiety signals in the brain by travelling via the circulation or receptor activation on vagal afferent neurons [22]. There have been many identified receptors present on the afferent neurons which can allow for this [23]. These receptors include the CCK1 receptor for cholecystokinin, the PYY receptor Y2 and GHS-1 which binds ghrelin. The review by Dockray discussed the finding of how the vagal afferent neurons alter the expression of receptors on the membrane in relation to CCK concentrations; administration of CCK to fasted rats increased the expression of the Y2 receptor, sensitizing the vagal afferent neurons to appetite signaling and satiety signaling.

Gut-Brain signaling Pathways Proteins and hormones activate brain pathways in different ways, either by eventual vagal activation or through peripheral circulation. The Nucleus Tractus Solitarus and the Arcuate Nucleus are then activated.
Brain pathways Proteins and hormones entering the brain causing firing of the POMC/ NPY neurons, resulting in increased or decreased food uptake. The activated Nucleus Tractus Solitarius produces effects on other appetite and energy affecting systems.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Agouti-Related Peptide

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) are both potent stimulators of appetite. These neuropeptides are co-expressed in a subpopulation of neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus [24]. AgRP is the endogenous inverse agonist of melanocortin receptors [25]. One key mechanism by which NYP/AgRP expressing neurons increase appetite is by antagonising α-MSH by binding to its receptor MC4R [26], as α-MSH is the most potent appetite inhibitor to be found. An interesting study by Luquet et al. showed that using the human diphtheria toxin receptor to only be expressed on AgRP locus in mice, injection of diphtheria toxin will abolish that gene, resulting in the loss of AgRP and NYP as they are co-localised in the same neurons. When this ablation was done in neonates, the mice could compensate for the loss of neurons, and by the time they reached adulthood they had normal body weight and appetite. However when neurons were ablated in adult mice, they lost all appetite.


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Neary MT, Batterham RL (2009) Peptide YY: Food for Thought Physiology and Behaviour 97:616-9
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Karra E et al. (2009) The role of peptide YY in appetite regulation and obesity. J Physiol 587:19-25
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Batterham RL et al. (2006 ) Critical role for peptide YY in protein-mediated satiation and body-weight regulation. Cell Metabolism 4:223–33
  4. ↑ Tome et al. (2009) Protein, amino acids, vagus nerve signalling and the brain Am J Clin Nutr 90:838-43
  5. ↑ Strader AD et al.(2005) Weight loss through ileal transposition is accompanied by increased ileal hormone secretion and synthesis in rats. Am J Physiol 288:E447-53
  6. ↑ Gio Y et al.(2006) Physiological evidence for the involvement of peptide YY in the regulation of energy homeostasis in humans. Obesity 14:1562-70
  7. ↑ Batterham RL et al. (2007) PYY modulation of cortical and hypothalamic brain areas predicts feeding behaviour in humans Nature 450:106-9
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Woods SC et al. (1996) The evaluation of insulin as a metabolic signal influencing behaviour via the brain Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews 20:139-44
  9. ↑ Wook K, Egan JM (2008) The role of incretins in glucose and hemeostasis and diabetes treatment Pharmacology review 60:470-512
  10. ↑ Broberger C (2005) Brain regulation of food intake and appetite: molecules and networks. J Int Med 258:301-27
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Heijboer AC (2006) Insulin sensitivity: modulation by the gut-brain axis. Department Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Badman MK, Flier JS (2005) The gut and energy balance: visceral allies in the obesity wars Science 307:1909-14
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Woods SC et al. (2006) The Brain-Gut-Islet Connection Diabetes 55:114-21
  14. ↑ Boon NA et al. (2006) Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine Elsevier Limited, Edinburgh
  15. ↑ Guo Z et al. (2008) Different responses of circulating ghrelin, obestatin levels to fasting, re-feeding and different food compositions, and their local expressions in rats. Peptides 29:1247-1254
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Ren A et al.(2009) Obestatin, obesity and diabetes. Peptides 30:439-44
  17. ↑ Sheng-Qui T et al. (2008) Obestatin: Its physicochemical characteristics and physiological functions. Peptides 29:639-65
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Cummings D. (2006) Ghrelin and the short- and long- term regulation of appetite and body weight. Physiol Behav 89:71-84
  19. ↑ Korbonits M. et al (2004) Ghrelin—a hormone with multiple functions. Front Neuroendocrinol 25:27-68
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Geary N (2004) Endocrine controls of eating: CCK, leptin and ghrelin. Physiol Behav 81:719-33
  21. ↑ Näslund E et al. (2007) Appetite signaling: from gut peptides and enteric nerves to brain. Physiol Behav 92:256-62
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Berthoud HR(2008) Vagal and hormonal gut–brain communication: from satiation to satisfaction.Neurogastroenterol Motil 20:64–72
  23. ↑ Dockray GJ (2009)The versatility of the vagus Physiol Behav97:531-6
  24. ↑ Smith PM, Ferguson AV (2008)Neurophysiology of hunger and satiety. Dev Disabilities Res Rev 14:96–104
  25. ↑ Kas MJH et al.(2005)Differential regulation of agouti-related protein and neuropeptide Y in hypothalamic neurons following a stressful event. J Mol Endocrinol 35:159-64
  26. ↑ Luquet S et al.(2005)NPY/AgRP neurons are essential for feeding in adult mice but can be ablated in neonates. Science 310683-5
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