PYY(1-36) and PYY(3-36) secretory response after a mixed meal in healthy individuals

Peptide YY (PYY) is a 36 amino acid peptide synthesized mostly by intestinal L cells. This peptide reaches its nadir during fasting and increases immediately after meals. After food intake, two molecular forms are released, PYY(1-36) and PYY(3-36). PYY(3-36) reduces food intake in both humans and rodents. There is scarce information about plasmatic concentrations of PYY, especially of PYY(3-36), after food ingestion, and their relationship to ghrelin.

To study PYY(1-36) and PYY(3-36) secretory response after a mixed meal, and its relationship to total and acylated ghrelin secretion in healthy subjects.

We studied eight healthy subjects, 4 women and 4 men, with a median age of 53 (range, 36-59) years. After an overnight fast, the subjects received either a mixed standard meal (400ml Isosource Energy® [159kcal/100ml]) or placebo (400ml of water) orally in random order on two different days. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 30, 45, 60 and 120 min for measurement of PYY(1-36), PYY(3-36), total ghrelin and acylated ghrelin. Comparisons were made by Wilcoxon's test. Numerical correlations were performed using Spearman's test. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.

After a mixed meal, PYY(1-36) reached a peak of (median [range]) 141.5 (81-198) pg/ml. There was no response to placebo, with a peak of 92.5 (46-219) pg/ml (p=0.04). The area under the curve (AUC) of PYY(1-36) levels after a mixed meal were 14,865 (8,032-19,822) pg/ml/min and after placebo were 8,992 (4,455-21,382) pg/ml/min (p=0.06). After ingestion of a mixed meal, PYY(3-36) reached a peak of 92.5 (59-135) pg/ml, with no response to placebo (46.5 [30-66] pg/ml) (p = 0.02). The AUC of PYY(3-36) levels after a mixed meal were 9,086 (6,412-14,970) pg/ml/min, and after placebo were 4,984 (3,142-6,772) pg/ml/min (p=0.012). The quotient between nadir total ghrelin/peak PYY(1-36) was markedly diminished after food ingestion, with preprandial values of 7.44 (3.64-14.56) and postprandial values of 3.55 (1.64-7.16) (p=0.03). The former quotient was unmodified by placebo. The quotient between nadir acylated ghrelin/peak PYY(3-36) was markedly diminished after ingestion of a mixed meal, with preprandial values of 2.03 (0.92-3) and postprandial values of 0.73 (0.26-1.27) (p=0.02). This quotient was unmodified by placebo.

In healthy subjects, blood levels of both PYY(1-36) and PYY(3-36) increase after ingestion of a mixed meal. Simultaneously, total and acylated ghrelin levels diminish. The quotient between nadir acylated ghrelin/peak PYY(3-36) diminishes after a mixed meal. All these data suggest the possible contribution of these peptides to appetite regulation after ingestion.