Free fatty acid receptor 2 and nutrient sensing: a proposed role for fibre, fermentable carbohydrates and short-chain fatty acids in appetite regulation

Abstract

The way in which the composition of the diet may affect appetite, food intake and body weight is now receiving considerable attention in a bid to halt the global year-on-year rise in obesity prevalence. Epidemiological evidence suggests that populations who follow a fibre-rich, traditional diet are likely to have a lower body weight and improved metabolic parameters than their Western-diet counterparts. The colonic effects of fibre, and more specifically the SCFA that the fermentation process produces, may play a role in maintaining energy homeostasis via their action on the G-coupled protein receptor free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2; formerly GPR43). In the present review, we summarise the evidence for and against the role of FFA2 in energy homeostasis circuits and the possible ways that these could be exploited therapeutically. We also propose that the decline in fibre content of the diet since the Industrial Revolution, particularly fermentable fractions, may have resulted in the FFA2-mediated circuits being under-utilised and hence play a role in the current obesity epidemic.

A traditional dietary pattern is associated with lower odds of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study

“…Similarly, the higher consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy products within the Traditional Lebanese pattern may increase the intakes of several nutrients and phytochemicals, including fibre and calcium (Ca) [39]. By decreasing dietary energy density, increasing satiety, buffering insulin fluctuations, and increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids, dietary fibre may pay a role in appetite and weight regulation [43]. Similarly, calcium has been suggested to play a role in body weight regulation.…”

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, the Gut Microbiome, and Diet

“…GPR41 is another SCFA receptor. Binding to GPR41 is associated with upregulation of peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide 1 [(GLP1), anorectic hormones] that have effects on appetite control; therefore, SCFAs are linked to food intake by activating these receptors (78,79). Current evidence indicates that SCFAs have paradoxical effects on hepatic health.…”

“…Furthermore, the consumption of inulin, galacto-oligosaccharides, and raffinose stimulates F. prausnitzii (119-121). F. prausnitzii, which belong to the butyrate-producing bacteria, could be crucial to gut barrier function and could modulate systemic inflammation (common to NAFLD) (79,122). All of these proposed actions may play a role in the beneficial effects of prebiotics in NAFLD prevention and/or treatment.…”

Comparisons of Effects on Intestinal Short-Chain Fatty Acid Concentration after Exposure of Two Glycosidase Inhibitors in Mice

“…Sleeth et al indicated that the binding of SCFAs to FFA2 and FFA3 located on L-cells may participate in controlling glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). 30) In contrast, another study reported that SCFAs have no effect on GLP-1 in vivo. 31) Besides, Paiva et al indicated that acarbose treatment did not change the gene expression of sodium glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) but increased GLUT1 protein by 75% in middle small intestine.…”