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Peptide YY (PYY) – Satiety Hormone Explained
Peptide YY (PYY) is a gut-derived satiety hormone released after meals that suppresses appetite and plays a key role in regulating body weight and energy balance.
Add as Preferred SourceThings worth knowing about "Peptide YY"
Peptide YY (PYY) is a gut-derived satiety hormone released after meals that suppresses appetite and plays a key role in regulating body weight and energy balance.
What is Peptide YY?
Peptide YY (PYY) is a 36-amino-acid peptide hormone produced and secreted primarily by the L-cells of the distal small intestine and colon. It belongs to the pancreatic polypeptide family and is structurally related to Neuropeptide Y (NPY). PYY is released into the bloodstream in response to food intake and signals to the brain that sufficient energy has been consumed.
Mechanism of Action
After its release, PYY travels through the bloodstream to the hypothalamus in the brain, where it binds to specific receptors – primarily the Y2 receptor. This binding inhibits the release of appetite-stimulating neurotransmitters such as Neuropeptide Y, thereby reducing hunger. Additionally, PYY slows gastric emptying and reduces gastrointestinal motility, a process known as the ileal brake mechanism. As a result, food remains in the digestive tract longer, prolonging the feeling of fullness.
Biological Functions
- Appetite suppression: PYY reduces hunger and promotes satiety following meals.
- Regulation of gastric emptying: It slows the transit of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
- Energy homeostasis: PYY contributes to the long-term regulation of body weight.
- Pancreatic function: It inhibits pancreatic secretion and supports the regulation of digestion.
Factors Affecting PYY Levels
Factors that increase PYY
- Protein-rich meals trigger a particularly strong PYY response.
- High-fat meals also stimulate PYY release.
- Physical exercise can transiently elevate PYY levels.
- Fiber-rich diets support sustained PYY secretion.
Factors that decrease PYY
- Fasting and severely calorie-restricted diets lower baseline PYY levels.
- In obesity, PYY levels are often chronically reduced, contributing to increased appetite and difficulties with satiety signaling.
PYY and Medical Conditions
Low PYY levels have been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Research shows that obese individuals release less PYY after eating compared to individuals with a healthy body weight, which impairs appetite control. Conversely, in conditions such as anorexia nervosa, PYY levels are often elevated. Following bariatric surgery (e.g., gastric bypass), PYY levels rise significantly, which is thought to contribute to post-surgical weight loss.
Therapeutic Potential
Due to its appetite-regulating properties, PYY is being investigated as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of obesity. Early clinical studies with intranasal and intravenous PYY administration have demonstrated that exogenous PYY can reduce food intake. However, further research is needed before PYY-based therapies can be approved for clinical use.
References
- Batterham, R. L. et al. (2002): Gut hormone PYY3-36 physiologically inhibits food intake. Nature, 418(6898), 650–654.
- Holst, J. J. (2013): Gut hormones as pharmaceuticals: from enteroglucagon to GLP-1 and PYY. Physiology, 28(5), 304–315.
- World Health Organization (WHO): Obesity and overweight. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
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