Pancreatic Polypeptide Reduces Appetite and Food Intake in Humans

TLDR

Pancreatic polypeptide is a gut hormone whose plasma levels are lower in hyperphagic states and higher in anorexia, and peripheral administration in rodents reduces food intake, indicating it may regulate appetite. The study aimed to determine whether intravenous infusion of PP would alter appetite and food intake in healthy adults. A randomized double‑blind placebo‑controlled crossover trial infused PP at 10 pmol/kg/min in ten volunteers. PP infusion lowered appetite and reduced energy intake by 21.8 % at lunch, with a sustained 25.3 % reduction over 24 h, confirming a lasting appetite‑suppressing effect.

Abstract

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is a gut hormone released from the pancreas in response to ingestion of food. Plasma PP has been shown to be reduced in conditions associated with increased food intake and elevated in anorexia nervosa. In addition peripheral administration of PP has been shown to decrease food intake in rodents. These findings suggest that PP may act as a circulating factor that regulates food intake. Therefore we investigated the effect of intravenous infusion of PP (10 pmol/kg/min) on appetite and food intake in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study in ten healthy volunteers. Infusion of PP reduced appetite and decreased the energy intake at a buffet lunch two hours post-infusion by 21.8 ± 5.7% (P < 0.01). More importantly the inhibition of food intake was sustained, such that energy intake, as assessed by food diaries, was significantly reduced both the evening of the study and the following morning. Overall PP infusion reduced cumulative 24-hour energy intake by 25.3 ± 5.8%. In conclusion our data demonstrates that PP causes a sustained decrease in both appetite and food intake.