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Updated: May 22, 2026

Fat Preference: A Novel Model of Eating Behavior in Rats
Published on: June 27, 2014
Dietary fat ingestion activates β-endorphin neurons in the hypothalamus
Shigenobu Matsumura1, Ai Eguchi, Yoko Okafuji
1Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. sigenobu@kais.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
The opioid system regulates food choice, consumption, and reinforcement processes, especially for palatable meals such as fatty food. β-Endorphin is known as an endogenous opioid peptide produced in neurons of the hypothalamus. In this study, we found that Intralipid (fat emulsion) ingestion increased c-fos expression in β-endorphin neurons. However, intragastric infusion of Intralipid only slightly increased c-fos expression 2h after infusion. Further, dissection of glossopharyngeal nerve, innervating posterior tongue taste buds, partially but significantly decreased the Intralipid-induced c-fos expression. These results indicate that mainly the orosensory stimulation from fat may activate β-endorphin neurons, thereby promoting β-endorphin release.
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