ORCID

Abstract

With ageing there is frequently a loss of appetite, termed anorexia of ageing, which can result in under-nutrition. We do not know how appetite control alters with ageing. The objective of this study was to investigate whether differences in the release of, and response to, gastrointestinal appetite hormones is altered in young compared to old healthy volunteers. We hypothesised that an increase in PYY and GLP-1 or a decrease ghrelin may result in a decreased appetite. A comparative experimental design, using a cross-sectional sample of ages from a healthy population, matched for sex and BMI was used. The study compared total ghrelin, acyl-ghrelin, PYY, GLP-1 and subjective appetite responses to ingestion of a standardised 2781kj (660 kcal) test meal. 31 female volunteers aged between 21 and 92yrs took part. Multiple linear regression showed that both age and sex had an independent effect on energy intake. Subjective appetite scores showed that hunger, pleasantness to eat, and prospective food intake were significantly lower in the older age groups. PYY incremental area under the curve (IAUC) was greater in the oldest old compared to younger ages f(3,27) = 2.9, p = 0.05. No differences in GLP-1, ghrelin or acyl-ghrelin were observed in the older compared to younger age groups. Our data suggest that there may be increases in postprandial PYY(3-36) levels in female octogenarians, potentially resulting in reduced appetite. There does not appear to be any change in ghrelin or acyl-ghrelin concentrations with ageing.

DOI

10.1016/j.appet.2016.06.002

Publication Date

2016-10-01

Publication Title

Appetite

Volume

105

ISSN

0195-6663

Embargo Period

2017-06-03

Organisational Unit

School of Health Professions

Keywords

Ageing, Anorexia, Appetite, Ghrelin, PYY, Acylation, Adult, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Appetite Regulation, Cohort Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Down-Regulation, Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Energy Intake, Female, Humans, London, Male, Middle Aged, Peptide YY, Protein Processing, Post-Translational, Satiety Response, Sex Characteristics, Up-Regulation, Young Adult

First Page

320

Last Page

327

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