Diet-Induced Hypothalamic Inflammation, Phoenixin, and Subsequent Precocious Puberty

Abstract

Recent studies have shown a rise in precocious puberty, especially in girls. At the same time, childhood obesity due to overnutrition and energy imbalance is rising too. Nutrition and fertility are currently facing major challenges in our societies, and are interconnected. Studies have shown that high-fat and/or high-glycaemic-index diet can cause hypothalamic inflammation and microglial activation. Molecular and animal studies reveal that microglial activation seems to produce and activate prostaglandins, neurotrophic factors activating GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone expressing neurons), thus initiating precocious puberty. GnRH neurons’ mechanisms of excitability are not well understood. In this review, we study the phenomenon of the rise of precocious puberty, we examine the physiology of GnRH neurons, and we review the recent literature regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms that connect diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation and diet-induced phoenixin regulation with precocious puberty.

Oestrogenic Activity in Girls with Signs of Precocious Puberty as Exposure Biomarker to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: A Pilot Study

“…The mechanisms underlying this process have not been fully understood and include genetic, metabolic, environmental, geographic, and nutritional factors. Indeed, it has been reported that puberty can be influenced by adipose tissue, gastrointestinal function, adrenal androgen production, physical, and psychological stress [1][2][3][4][5].…”

Increase of prevalence of Idiopathic Precocious Puberty in Girls, during the Covid-19 Pandemic: What are the possible causes? A systematic Review.

“…In Germany, for example, even though organised sports were halted, habitual exercise was increased, leading to an augmentation in the amount of daily physical activity among children and adolescents (23). However, many studies revealed a substantial decrease in physical activity during quarantine, internationally, due to restricted access to physical activity (24,25).…”

Regulation and physiological functions of phoenixin

“…The phoenixin expression in the hypothalamus was modulated by peripheral signals, such as hormones and fatty acids ( McLlwraith et al, 2018 ). It was speculated that diet could stimulate phoenixin secretion, act on GnRH neurons and induce subsequent activation of GnRH ( Valsamakis et al, 2021 ). It was reported that an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.)…”