Microstructural meal pattern analysis reveals that nicotine is a potent anti-anorectic drug despite producing long-term anorexigenic effects

Nicotine consumption in both human and animal studies has been strongly associated with changes in feeding-related behaviors and metabolism. The current dogma is that chronic nicotine decreases food intake and increases metabolism, leading to lower body weight. However, the effect of acute nicotine intake on feeding is unclear. The present study employed microstructural and macrostructural behavioral analyses to elucidate changes in feeding behavior in animals that intravenously self-administered nicotine. At the microstructural level (seconds to minutes), nicotine increased feeding and drinking behavior during the first 5 minutes after nicotine self-administration. This effect was also observed in animals that passively received nicotine, but the effect was not observed in animals that self-administered saline or passively received saline. At the macrostructural level (hours to days), nicotine decreased body weight gain, decreased feeding, and was associated with increases in feeding and body weight gain during abstinence. These results suggest that nicotine first produces anti-anorectic effects before producing long-term anorexigenic effects. These results challenge the notion that nicotine is an anorexigenic drug and paradoxically suggest that the anorexigenic effects of nicotine may be a long-term consequence of acute anti-anorectic effects of nicotine.

The homeostatic dynamics of feeding behaviour identify novel mechanisms of anorectic agents

Better understanding of feeding behaviour will be vital in reducing obesity and metabolic syndrome, but we lack a standard model that captures the complexity of feeding behaviour. We construct an accurate stochastic model of rodent feeding at the bout level in order to perform quantitative behavioural analysis. Analysing the different effects on feeding behaviour of PYY3-36, lithium chloride, GLP-1 and leptin shows the precise behavioural changes caused by each anorectic agent. Our analysis demonstrates that the changes in feeding behaviour evoked by the anorectic agents investigated not mimic satiety. In thead libitumfed state during the light period, meal initiation is governed by complete stomach emptying, whereas in all other conditions there is a graduated response. We show how robust homeostatic control of feeding thwarts attempts to reduce food intake, and how this might be overcome.In silicoexperiments suggest that introducing a minimum intermeal interval or modulating gastric emptying can be as effective as anorectic drug administration.

PROFILE OF PATIENTS WHO SEEK THE BARIATRIC SURGERY

Background: Nowadays obesity is a chronic disease considered one of the greatest problems in public healthy. Showing to be effective in a short and long term, the bariatric surgery has emerged as an optional treatment for morbid obesity. Aim: Identify the profile of patients seeking bariatric surgery. Methods: Were interviewed 100 patients in preoperative nutritional monitoring of bariatric surgery. The study was conducted by applying a questionnaire prepared according to the research objectives. Results: From the individuals that were seeking bariatric surgery, 78% were female, 62% were married and 69% reported physical activity. The average age of those surveyed was 37±10.83 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 43.51± 6.25 kg/m². The comorbidity more prevalent in this group was high blood pressure (51%). In previous treatments for weight reduction, 92% have already done hypocaloric diet followed by anorectic drug (83%). The success of these treatments was reported by 92% of patients; however, the weight lost was recovered in less than one year of 75%. Patients with diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia had higher BMI values. The patients with comorbidities showed lower levels of BMI. Conclusion: The profile of patients who sought surgical treatment for their obesity were predominantly women with a family background of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, especially hypertension and diabetes mellitus.