Appetite ratings and ghrelin concentrations in young adults after administration of a balanced meal. Does sex matter?

Abstract

Background Sex-based differences in appetite ratings have been observed previously. Ghrelin is the only known orexigenic peptide hormone. Sex differences in postprandial ghrelin responses may underlie different perceptions of hunger and satiety, but results are conflicting. We conducted a parallel study to evaluate sex differences in postprandial appetite ratings and ghrelin concentration after administration of a physiological meal among students of University of Milan. Methods Twenty-four healthy, normal weight volunteers (12 men and 12 women) aged 18–35 years were recruited. A balanced mixed meal meeting 40% of the estimated daily energy expenditure and providing 60% of calories from carbohydrates, 25% from lipids and 15% from protein was administrated. Sex differences in appetite ratings (satiety, hunger, fullness and desire to eat) and magnitude of ghrelin suppression during postprandial period (up to 180 min) were determined. Results In the fasting state, men and women did not differ in appetite ratings and ghrelin concentrations. After feeding, women tended to reach peak of satiety earlier than men, who in turn reached the nadir of hunger later than women (median: 30 min, interquartile range (IQR): 1; 120 vs. 1 min, IQR 1; 1, p = 0.007). Ghrelin suppression was greater in women (median decremental AUC − 95, IQR − 122; − 66) than in men (median decremental AUC − 47, IQR − 87; − 31, p = 0.041). Conclusions These findings suggest sex differences in the postprandial appetite regulation that might be important for nutritional strategy to prevent and treat obesity and eating disorders.

Appetite–regulating hormones in rats with fructose-induced metabolic changes

“…A study of Natelson et al (2020) on leptin receptor deficient mice reports that only female ones developed diabetes and displayed diminished vertebral bone quality and alteration in intervertebral discs, suggesting a sex-dependent role of leptin in the pathological changes of the spine in diabetes and obesity. Additionally, it has been hypothesized that the different appetite regulation between males and females is in part due to different postprandial ghrelin levels (Leone et al 2022). The oral intake of fructose does not suppress orexigenic hormones, which could serve as a possible explanation of the high ghrelin levels detected in the FD groups of our study.…”

The relationship between gender differences in dietary habits, neuroinflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease

“…No sex differences were found between appetite ratings and ghrelin levels in the fasting state, suggesting a normal physiological response in both sexes. However, postprandially, women tended to attain satiety earlier than men, who instead reached the nadir of hunger later, both of which corresponded to findings of greater ghrelin suppression in women compared to men ( Leone et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Physiological differences between genders that can affect appetite may also be present that are not pathological in nature, such as sex differences in the impact ghrelin on food intake. Leone et al (2022) measured ghrelin in 24 healthy, normal weight volunteers before and after a balanced meal. No sex differences were found between appetite ratings and ghrelin levels in the fasting state, suggesting a normal physiological response in both sexes.…”

Interindividual variability in appetitive sensations and relationships between appetitive sensations and energy intake

“…Some previous studies of freeliving individuals also reported no associations between BMI and thirst ratings [22] or thirst sensations were even lower in dehydrated individuals with obesity [50]. Some evidence suggests males and females differ in AS [6,7] but the preponderance of evidence indicates hunger and fullness ratings are not significantly different between men and women in either the fasting [10,23] or post-prandial [11,23] state. Thirst was also similar between free-living males and females [22] including under extreme conditions following endurance exercise [51].…”

“…Each has been hypothesized to modify appetite-diet associations and risk for obesity. However, the literature for each has been mixed: BMI [6,8,9], sex [6,7,10,11], age [12][13][14]. Thus, a third aim was to determine whether these selected individual characteristics consistently map onto patterns of AS intensity over time.…”