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Anorexia is a common symptom in chronic illness. It contributes to malnutrition and strongly affects survival and quality of life. A common denominator of many chronic diseases is an elevated inflammatory status, which is considered to play a pivotal role in the failure of food-intake regulating systems in the hypothalamus. In this review, we summarize findings on the role of hypothalamic inflammation on food intake regulation involving hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). Furthermore, we outline the role of serotonin in the inability of these peptide based food-intake regulating systems to respond and adapt to changes in energy metabolism during chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol is often consumed to reduce tension and improve mood when exposed to stressful situations. Previous studies showed that moderate alcohol consumption may reduce stress when alcohol is consumed prior to a stressor, but data on the effect of alcohol consumption after a mental stressor is limited. Therefore, our objective was to study whether moderate alcohol consumption immediately after a mental stressor attenuates the stress response. Twenty-four healthy men (age 21-40 y, BMI 18-27 kg/m2) participated in a placebo-controlled trial. They randomly consumed 2 cans (660 mL, ∼26 g alcohol) of beer or alcohol-free beer immediately after a mental stressor (Stroop task and Trier Social Stress Test). Physiological and immunological stress response was measured by monitoring heart rate and repeated measures of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis), white blood cells and a set of cytokines. After a mental stressor, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations were 100% and 176% more reduced at 60 min (P = 0.012 and P = 0.001, respectively) and 92% and 60% more reduced at 90 min (P < 0.001 and P = 0.056, respectively) after beer consumption as compared to alcohol-free beer consumption. Heart rate and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were not influenced by alcohol consumption. Plasma IL-8 concentrations remained lower during the stress recovery period after beer consumption than after alcohol-free beer consumption (P < 0.001). In conclusion, consumption of a moderate dose of alcohol after a mental stressor may facilitate recovery of the endocrine stress response as reflected by decreasing plasma ACTH and cortisol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vagal nerve and gut hormones CCK and GLP-1 play important roles in the control of food intake. However, it is not clear to what extent CCK and GLP-1 increase satiation by stimulating receptors located on abdominal vagal nerve endings or via receptors located elsewhere. This study aimed to further explore the relative contribution of the abdominal vagal nerve in mediating the satiating effects of endogenous CCK and GLP-1. Total subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or sham operation was combined with administration of CCK 1 and GLP-1 receptor antagonists devazepide and exendin (9–39) in 12 pigs, applying an unbalanced Latin Square within-subject design. Furthermore, effects of vagotomy on preprandial and postprandial acetaminophen absorption, glucose, insulin, GLP-1 and CCK plasma concentrations were investigated. Ad libitum liquid meal intake (mean ± SEM) was similar in sham and vagotomized pigs (4180 ± 435 and 3760 ± 810 g/meal). Intake increased by about 20% after blockade of CCK 1 receptors, independently of the abdominal vagal nerve. Food intake did not increase after blockade of GLP-1 receptors. Blockade of CCK 1 and GLP-1 receptors increased circulating CCK and GLP-1 concentrations in sham pigs only, suggesting the existence of a vagal reflex mechanism in the regulation of plasma CCK 1 and GLP-1 concentrations. Vagotomy decreased acetaminophen absorption and changed glucose, insulin, CCK and GLP-1 concentrations indicating a delay in gastric emptying. Our data show that at liquid feeding, satiation is decreased effectively by pharmacological blockade of CCK 1 receptors. We conclude that regulation of liquid meal intake appears to be primarily regulated by CCK 1 receptors not located on abdominal vagal nerve endings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chinese medicine could serve as a source of inspiration for drug development. Using systems biology in combination with reverse pharmacology is a novel way for the discovery of novel biological active compounds and targets as well as for proving the occurrence of synergy and prodrugs. A key factor for coming to evidence-based Chinese medicine will be the quality control. Metabolomics is a very promising tool for this purpose. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The acute effects of alcohol on emotional arousal are inconsistent, with both elation and tension reduction being (self-)reported. To explore the physiological mechanisms that may be involved in emotional arousal, effects of moderate alcohol consumption on subjective and physiological measures of arousal were determined. 28 women (age 18–45y, BMI 18.5–27kg/m2) were randomly allocated to 4 conditions in which they received 3 glasses of sparkling white wine (±30g alcohol) or alcohol-free sparkling white wine while having dinner in a room with a pleasant or unpleasant ambiance. Heart rate variability, skin conductance and heart rate (indicators for arousal) were measured continuously. Additionally, subjects filled out questionnaires (B-BAES and POMS-SF) at different times. Skin conductance and heart rate increased more after the alcoholic treatment compared to the non-alcoholic treatment and stayed higher until 1h after consumption. Skin conductance was lower in the pleasant room than in the unpleasant room. Heart rate variability was lower after alcohol consumption compared to no alcohol consumption. The B-BAES sedation score was continuously higher and the stimulation score was higher only 20min after alcohol consumption compared to no alcohol consumption. Thus, both arousal and sympathetic activity were increased by alcohol consumption after 20min. However, sedative effects of alcohol were not corresponding to autonomic nervous system measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]