Total parenteral nutrition alters NPY/PYY receptor levels in the rat brain

The regulation of appetite and satiety is complex and may involve peptide mediators such as cholecystokinin (CCK) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Studies have indicated that calories administered enterally and parenterally impact on feeding, and possibly via the release of such mediators. Recent data from our laboratory have shown that total parenteral nutrition (TPN) reduces sham feeding in dogs by 50%. We hypothesized that TPN may alter feeding via an NPY-mediated mechanism. To test our hypothesis, we examined the effect of continuous administration of TPN on NPY receptor levels in the rat brain. Rats were surgically prepared with intravenous catheters. After 72 h of TPN infusion, the rats were anesthesized with sodium pentobarbital and their brains were removed. Neuropeptide Y receptor density was assessed by autoradiography in the paraventricular nucleus, olfactory cortex, dentate gyrus, and thalamus. These results were compared to the control group receiving intravenous saline. A third group receiving enteral nutrition was examined as well. Neuropeptide Y receptor numbers were significantly increased in the paraventricular nucleus of rats receiving TPN compared to the groups receiving intravenous saline or enteral nutrition. We conclude that continuous parenteral nutrition significantly increases NPY receptor density in the rat brain suggesting that TPN may impact feeding via the regulation of NPY receptor-mediated effects.