Brain Perception of Different Oils on Appetite Regulation: An Anorectic Gene Expression Pattern in the Hypothalamus Dependent on the Vagus Nerve

Nutrients. 2024 Jul 24;16(15):2397. doi: 10.3390/nu16152397.

Abstract

(1) Background: We examined the effect of the acute administration of olive oil (EVOO), linseed oil (GLO), soybean oil (SO), and palm oil (PO) on gastric motility and appetite in rats. (2) Methods: We assessed food intake, gastric retention (GR), and gene expression in all groups. (3) Results: Both EVOO and GLO were found to enhance the rate of stomach retention, leading to a decrease in hunger. On the other hand, the reduction in food intake caused by SO was accompanied by delayed effects on stomach retention. PO caused an alteration in the mRNA expression of NPY, POMC, and CART. Although PO increased stomach retention after 180 min, it did not affect food intake. It was subsequently verified that the absence of an autonomic reaction did not nullify the influence of EVOO in reducing food consumption. Moreover, in the absence of parasympathetic responses, animals that received PO exhibited a significant decrease in food consumption, probably mediated by lower NPY expression. (4) Conclusions: This study discovered that different oils induce various effects on parameters related to food consumption. Specifically, EVOO reduces food consumption primarily through its impact on the gastrointestinal tract, making it a recommended adjunct for weight loss. Conversely, the intake of PO limits food consumption in the absence of an autonomic reaction, but it is not advised due to its contribution to the development of cardiometabolic disorders.

Keywords: appetite regulation; fatty acids; gastrointestinal motility; vagus nerve.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Appetite Regulation* / drug effects
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Hypothalamus* / drug effects
  • Hypothalamus* / metabolism
  • Linseed Oil / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neuropeptide Y* / genetics
  • Neuropeptide Y* / metabolism
  • Olive Oil* / pharmacology
  • Palm Oil* / pharmacology
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin / genetics
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Soybean Oil* / administration & dosage
  • Soybean Oil* / pharmacology
  • Vagus Nerve* / drug effects
  • Vagus Nerve* / physiology

Substances

  • Olive Oil
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Palm Oil
  • Soybean Oil
  • Linseed Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript protein
  • RNA, Messenger