B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Modulates Ghrelin, Hunger, and Satiety in Healthy Men
- Greisa Vila1,
- Gabriele Grimm2,
- Michael Resl1,
- Birgit Heinisch3,
- Elisa Einwallner2,
- Harald Esterbauer2,
- Benjamin Dieplinger4,
- Thomas Mueller4,
- Anton Luger1 and
- Martin Clodi1⇓
- 1Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- 2Department of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- 3Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Konventhospital Barmherzige Brueder, Linz, Austria
- Corresponding author: Martin Clodi, martin.clodi{at}meduniwien.ac.at.
Abstract
Chronic heart failure is accompanied by anorexia and increased release of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) from ventricular cardiomyocytes. The pathophysiological mechanisms linking heart failure and appetite regulation remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the impact of intravenous BNP administration on appetite-regulating hormones and subjective ratings of hunger and satiety in 10 healthy volunteers. Participants received in a randomized, placebo–controlled, crossover, single-blinded study (subject) placebo once and 3.0 pmol/kg/min human BNP-32 once administered as a continuous infusion during 4 h. Circulating concentrations of appetite-regulating peptides were measured hourly. Subjective ratings of hunger and satiety were evaluated by visual analog scales. BNP inhibited the fasting-induced increase in total and acylated ghrelin concentrations over time (P = 0.043 and P = 0.038, respectively). In addition, BNP decreased the subjective rating of hunger (P = 0.009) and increased the feeling of satiety (P = 0.012) when compared with placebo. There were no significant changes in circulating peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide 1, oxyntomodulin, pancreatic polypeptide, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations. In summary, our results demonstrate that BNP exerts anorectic effects and reduces ghrelin concentrations in men. These data, taken together with the known cardiovascular properties of ghrelin, support the existence of a heart–gut–brain axis, which could be therapeutically targeted in patients with heart failure and obesity.
- Received October 20, 2011.
- Accepted March 28, 2012.
- © 2012 by the American Diabetes Association.
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