C. Rouch et al., Determination, using microdialysis, of hypothalamic serotonin variations in response to different macronutrients, PHYSL BEHAV, 65(4-5), 1999, pp. 653-657
In response to a chow meal in rats, we observed previously in PVN-VMH dialy
sates, an increase in serotonin (5-HT) that could be related to satiety or
to metabolic consequences of the composition of the meal. Indeed, carbohydr
ates are admitted to increase 5-HT synthesis while proteins decrease it, bu
t the time course and mechanisms of these effects were not known. For that
purpose, pure carbohydrates, proteins, or fats were offered for 30 min and
the changes in 5-HT from PVN-VMH dialysates were followed. Carbohydrates (8
5% starch + 15% sucrose) enhanced 5-HT levels as soon as the first 15 min o
f feeding, with a maximum 60 min later. Conversely, protein ingestion induc
ed in the second 15 min of the meal, a decrease in 5-HT that lasted 2 h. Du
ring a fat meal (lard), 5-HT levels also decreased at the beginning of the
meal and remained low during 45 min. The present data reassess the previous
theories on the serotonergic effects of specific macronutrient ingestion.
The effect of a fat meal on 5-HT levels had never been described so far. Th
e increase in 5-HT in response to a carbohydrate meal is further specified.
The 5-HT decrease induced by proteins, in agreement with the previous theo
ries, is better explained now by using pure protein diets and extracellular
5-HT assay. However, all the changes observed start too early to be only m
etabolic in origin. Other mechanisms may occur, including the release of 5-
HT in response to a meal to induce satiety. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.