A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Feeding Releases Endogenous Opioids in Humans
Authors: Tuulari JJ, Tuominen L, de Boer FE, Hirvonen J, Helin S, Nuutila P, Nummenmaa L
Publisher: SOC NEUROSCIENCE
Publishing place: WASHINGTON, DC
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Journal of Neuroscience
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
Journal acronym: J NEUROSCI
Volume: 37
Issue: 34
First page : 8284
Last page: 8291
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 0270-6474
eISSN: 0270-6474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0976-17.2017(external)
Abstract
The endogenous opioid system supports a multitude of functions related to appetitive behavior in humans and animals, and it has been proposed to govern hedonic aspects of feeding thus contributing to the development of obesity. Here we used positron emission tomography to investigate whether feeding results in hedonia-dependent endogenous opioid release in humans. Ten healthy males were recruited for the study. They were scanned with the mu-opioid-specific ligand [C-11] carfentanil three times, as follows: after a palatable meal, a nonpalatable meal, and after an overnight fast. Subjective mood, satiety, and circulating hormone levels were measured. Feeding induced significant endogenous opioid release throughout the brain. This response was more pronounced following a nonpalatable meal versus a palatable meal, and independent of the subjective hedonic responses to feeding. We conclude that feeding consistently triggers cerebral opioid release even in the absence of subjective pleasure associated with feeding, suggesting that metabolic and homeostatic rather than exclusively hedonic responses play a role in the feeding-triggered cerebral opioid release.
The endogenous opioid system supports a multitude of functions related to appetitive behavior in humans and animals, and it has been proposed to govern hedonic aspects of feeding thus contributing to the development of obesity. Here we used positron emission tomography to investigate whether feeding results in hedonia-dependent endogenous opioid release in humans. Ten healthy males were recruited for the study. They were scanned with the mu-opioid-specific ligand [C-11] carfentanil three times, as follows: after a palatable meal, a nonpalatable meal, and after an overnight fast. Subjective mood, satiety, and circulating hormone levels were measured. Feeding induced significant endogenous opioid release throughout the brain. This response was more pronounced following a nonpalatable meal versus a palatable meal, and independent of the subjective hedonic responses to feeding. We conclude that feeding consistently triggers cerebral opioid release even in the absence of subjective pleasure associated with feeding, suggesting that metabolic and homeostatic rather than exclusively hedonic responses play a role in the feeding-triggered cerebral opioid release.
UTU Research Portal