British Journal of Nutrition

Table of Contents - 2007 - Volume 97, Issue 03  

Full Papers

Low-dose pancreatic polypeptide inhibits food intake in man

David R. Jesudasona1, Mariana P. Monteiroa1, Barbara M. C. McGowana1, Nicola M. Nearya1, Adrian J. Parka1, Elena Philippoua1, Caroline J. Smalla1, Gary S. Frosta1, Mohammad A. Ghateia1 and Stephen R. Blooma1 c1

a1 Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK

Abstract

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is a gut hormone released from the pancreas in response to food ingestion and remains elevated for up to 6 h postprandially. Plasma levels are elevated in patients with pancreatic tumours. An intravenous infusion of PP has been reported to reduce food intake in man, suggesting that PP is a satiety hormone. We investigated whether a lower infusion rate of PP would induce significant alterations in energy intake. The study was randomised and double-blinded. Fourteen lean fasted volunteers (five men and nine women) received 90 min infusions of PP (5 pmol/kg per min) and saline on two separate days. The dose chosen was half that used in a previous human study which reported a decrease in appetite but at supra-physiological levels of PP. One hour after the end of the infusion, a buffet lunch was served and energy intake measured. PP infusion was associated with a significant 11 % reduction in energy intake compared with saline (2440 (se 200) v. 2730 (se 180) kJ; P < 0·05). Preprandial hunger as assessed by a visual analogue score was decreased in the PP-treated group compared to saline. These effects were achieved with plasma levels of PP within the pathophysiological range of pancreatic tumours.

(Received April 27 2006)

(Revised September 05 2006)

(Accepted October 10 2006)

Key Words:

Correspondence:

c1 *Corresponding author: Prof. S. R. Bloom, fax +44 (0)20 8383 3142, email s.bloom@imperial.ac.uk

Footnotes

Abbreviations: PP, pancreatic polypeptide; VAS, visual analogue score

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