Structure of peptide YY

PYY was first identified in the small intestine by Tatemoto & Mutt in 1980⁽ Reference Tatemoto and Mutt ^{15 )}. It is a thirty-six-amino acid peptide that has both an amino acid terminal tyrosine and a carboxyl terminal tyrosine amide and belongs to the pancreatic polypeptide family. Its tertiary structure consists of a polyproline helix and α-helix connected by a β-turn resulting in a characteristic U-shaped peptide⁽ Reference Stanley, Kyrkouli and Lampert ^{16 )}. PYY is secreted mostly from the endocrine L-cells of the ileum, colon and rectum (with highest concentrations in the colon and rectum), although PYY mRNA has been identified in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, pancreas and brainstem⁽ Reference Broome and Hokfelt ^{17 ,} Reference Adrian, Savage and Sagor ^{18 )}. Its secretion is initiated either by direct luminal contact of nutrients with the endocrine cells or indirectly through neurohumoral signals⁽ Reference Batterham and Bloom ^{19 )}. These neurohumoral signals are hormones that are released into the blood by neuroendocrine cells that are stimulated through nerve impulses. PYY exists in two forms: PYY_1–36 and PYY_3–36. PYY_3–36 is produced by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-IV which hydrolyses PYY at the Pro²–Ile³ bond of the NH₂ terminus⁽ Reference Medeiros and Turner ^{20 )}. PYY_1–36 binds and activates all five Y receptors (Y1–Y5). If the first two amino acids at the N-terminal are removed, the receptor selectivity changes because PYY_3–36 only has a high affinity for the Y2 receptor⁽ Reference Karra, Chandarana and Batterham ^{21 )}. While both forms are biologically active at all times, PYY_3–36 is the main storage and circulating form of PYY⁽ Reference Druce, Small and Bloom ^{14 )} and is thought to more actively control food intake⁽ Reference Grandt, Schimiczek and Beglinger ^{22 )}.

Functions of peptide YY

PYY has multiple functions including slowing gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility, inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid, gallbladder contractions, and pancreatic exocrine enzymes, and the most well-documented function of regulating food intake⁽ Reference Batterham and Bloom ^{19 ,} Reference Maljaars, Peters and Mela ^{23 )}. Intravenous infusions of PYY reduce appetite and energy intake in healthy human subjects, suggesting that PYY plays a role in regulating satiety⁽ Reference Karra, Chandarana and Batterham ^{21 ,} Reference Batterham, Cowley and Small ^{24 ,} Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 )}. Circulating levels of PYY are low in the fasted state and both the 3–36 and 1–36 forms increase rapidly upon nutrient ingestion⁽ Reference Druce, Small and Bloom ^{14 )}. While it is well known that PYY is released in response to nutrient intake, it is also released by gastric acid, cholecystokinin (CCK), and infusion of bile acids into the ileum or colon as shown in animal studies⁽ Reference Ko, Han and Jeong ^{26 ,} Reference Gomez, Padilla and Udupi ^{27 )}. Finally, PYY secretion is affected by things other than food consumption such as intestinal peristalsis and intraluminal nutrients⁽ Reference Oh, Son and Sin ^{28 ,} Reference Degen, Drewe and Piccoli ^{29 )}. Much like ghrelin and CCK, PYY is not released by gastric distension⁽ Reference Oesch, Ruegg and Fischer ^{30 )}.

Plasma PYY levels increase within 15 min after nutrient consumption, peak at about 60–90 min, and remain elevated for up to 6 h⁽ Reference Adrian, Ferri and Bacarese-Hamilton ^{31 )}. Postprandial levels have been shown to be proportional to meal size⁽ Reference Adrian, Ferri and Bacarese-Hamilton ^{31 )}. The initial increase in PYY concentration occurs before food is able to reach the L-cells of the small intestine, indicating that there is a neural or endocrine mechanism that involves cephalic phase-mediated PYY release⁽ Reference Ford, Peters and Martin ^{32 )}. PYY release becomes greater when the nutrients arrive at the endocrine L-cells and the sustained release of PYY for up to 6 h postprandially is thought to be due to the direct effects of the intraluminal gut contents on the L-cells⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 )}. PYY responds to all three macronutrients, with the strongest stimulus being with either fats or proteins (described in more detail below)⁽ Reference Onaga, Zabielski and Kato ^{33 )}. Appetite-suppressant effects of duodenal lipids are dependent on fat digestion, so fat digestion may also be a prerequisite for fat-induced stimulation of PYY⁽ Reference Feinle-Bisset, Patterson and Ghatei ^{34 )}. Indeed, blocking the hydrolysis of long-chain fatty acids abolishes the typical PYY postprandial response, probably due to a lack of CCK release⁽ Reference Degen, Drewe and Piccoli ^{29 )}.

Other foods or substances have also been tested for potential PYY responses. PYY has been shown to increase following ingestion of decaffeinated coffee⁽ Reference Greenberg and Geliebter ^{35 )}, but does not change in response to alcohol ingestion in adult men and women⁽ Reference Calissendorff, Danielsson and Brismar ^{36 )}. Additionally, it has recently been suggested that artificial sweeteners could stimulate the release of PYY because of two sweet taste receptors (T1r2 and T1r3) that are co-localised with PYY in enteroendocrine L-cells. However, ingestion of the artificial sweetener sucralose does not lead to changes in circulating PYY levels⁽ Reference Ford, Peters and Martin ^{32 )}.

Mechanism of action for peptide YY

Similar to other peripheral hunger or satiety signals, PYY acts on the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus by targeting the neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons⁽ Reference Suzuki, Jayasena and Bloom ^{37 )}. PYY is able to cross the blood–brain barrier freely by a non-saturable mechanism⁽ Reference Cowley, Cone and Enriori ^{38 ,} Reference Cone, Cowley and Butler ^{39 )}. This non-saturable mechanism implies that there is no point at which saturation of that mechanism occurs, so there is no limit to the amount of PYY that can cross that blood–brain barrier. Within the ARC, there are two subsets of neurons that integrate signals and influence energy homeostasis. These neurons are the NPY/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons and the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)/cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) neurons⁽ Reference Suzuki, Simpson and Minnion ^{40 ,} Reference Schwartz, Woods and Porte ^{41 )}. The NPY/AgRP neurons are classified as orexigenic (appetite stimulating) while the POMC/CART neurons are classified as anorexigenic (appetite suppressing)⁽ Reference Sainsbury, Cooney and Herzog ^{42 )}. In the ARC, PYY is a potent agonist of both the Y1 and Y2 receptors and can also bind to the Y5 receptor whereas PYY_3–36 has a very high affinity for the Y2 receptor⁽ Reference Suzuki, Jayasena and Bloom ^{37 )}. The Y2 receptor of NPY is a 381-amino acid, seven transmembrane-spanning, G-protein-coupled receptor⁽ Reference Ingenhoven, Eckard and Gehlert ^{43 )}. In humans, the Y2 receptor is found through the entire central nervous system and Y2 mRNA in the hypothalamus is localised in the ARC, preoptic nucleus, and dorsomedial hypothalamus. Over 80 % of the NPY neurons co-express Y2 receptor mRNA in the ARC⁽ Reference Ingenhoven, Eckard and Gehlert ^{43 )}. The brainstem is also a site of Y2 receptor mRNA which includes the nucleus tractus solitarius⁽ Reference Batterham and Bloom ^{19 )}.

Agonists of the Y2 receptor, or Y2 receptor injections, show a reduction in the release of NPY. Conversely, Y2 antagonists increase NPY release⁽ Reference Batterham and Bloom ^{19 )}. The importance of the Y2 receptor in feeding regulation has been examined with Y2 agonist injections into the ARC of rats, which results in a reduction in food intake that lasts for up to 8 h post-administration⁽ Reference Batterham and Bloom ^{19 )}. PYY has agonistic properties on Y2 receptors, so binding to those receptors leads to an inhibition of food intake⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 )}. Further, Y2 receptor knockout mice are unable to inhibit food intake in the presence of PYY⁽ Reference Tovar, Seoane and Caminos ^{44 )}.

It has also been suggested that PYY_3–36 is associated with the POMC neurons within the ARC of the hypothalamus. Agonists of the Y2 receptor show an increase in the release of α-melanocyte stimulation hormone (α-MSH) from POMC neurons. Further, Batterham et al. ⁽ Reference Batterham, Cowley and Small ^{24 )} examined the electrophysiological response of the POMC neurons in mice. Through measurements of depolarisation and inhibitory postsynaptic currents, they discovered that PYY_3–36 was able to inhibit NPY neurons, which led to a decrease in the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibition of POMC neurons⁽ Reference Batterham, Cowley and Small ^{24 )}. Therefore, the effect of PYY on POMC neurons may be indirectly through decreased GABA as a result of NPY inhibition. Interestingly, a different study by Acuna-Goycolea & van den Pol⁽ Reference Acuna-Goycolea and van den Pol ^{45 )} showed that PYY_3–36 actually inhibited both POMC and NPY neurons in a dose-dependent manner. Since POMC neurons are anorexigenic, this would go against the established satiating effect of PYY in the body. However, it appears that PYY may more strongly inhibit NPY cells, and that the NPY inhibition is strong enough to override any possible inhibition in the POMC neurons. Further evidence that POMC is not the primary regulator of PYY-responsive satiety has been shown with reduced food intake in response to PYY_3–36 administration in POMC knock-out mice⁽ Reference Challis, Coll and Yeo ^{46 )}. Therefore, it appears that inhibition of NPY via the Y2 receptor is the primary way in which PYY_3–36 acts as an anorexigenic peptide.

Exogenous administration of peptide YY

PYY was first recognised as a satiety signal after studies clearly showed that exogenous administration of PYY affected certain neurons in the ARC and reduced body weight when given chronically. Studies in both human and animal models show that peripheral administration of PYY results in large decreases in food intake⁽ Reference Druce, Small and Bloom ^{14 ,} Reference Batterham, Cowley and Small ^{24 )}. Additionally, in rodents, injection of PYY_3–36 directly into the ARC inhibits release of NPY, stimulates release of α-MSH, and inhibits food intake⁽ Reference Batterham and Bloom ^{19 ,} Reference Batterham, Cowley and Small ^{24 )}. In another rodent study, PYY_3–36 administered at a dose that is representative of peak postprandial plasma levels resulted in decreased food intake during the dark phase (the dark phase is when rodents are awake, so they are moving around and eating during this phase). The rodents also received twice-daily doses of PYY_3–36 for 8 d, which resulted in a significant reduction in food intake and reduced body-weight gain when compared with the saline control⁽ Reference Batterham and Bloom ^{19 )}.

The satiating effects of PYY have been clearly shown in human subjects as well. Batterham et al. ⁽ Reference Batterham, Cowley and Small ^{24 )} gave a 90-min infusion of PYY_3–36 to twelve normal-weight subjects (six men and six women). The dose was designed to mimic normal postprandial responses. They reported a decreased energy intake of 36 % at a free buffet meal following PYY administration v. the saline control. Further, food diaries showed that food intake remained decreased for up to 12 h following a PYY infusion, but did not alter food intake from 12 to 24 h after administration. The total reduction in energy intake over a 24 h period was 33 %⁽ Reference Batterham, Cowley and Small ^{24 )}. Exogenous administration of PYY was also used to study its effects in lean and obese adults. Energy intake at an ad libitum buffet 2 h after PYY_3–36 infusions was decreased by 31 % in normal-weight adults and 30 % in obese adults⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 )}. The aforementioned findings for a reduction in food intake following exogenous administration of PYY in both normal-weight and obese adults have been confirmed in several other studies⁽ Reference Le Roux, Batterham and Aylwin ^{47 –} Reference Flint, Raben and Astrup ^{50 )}. Together, these studies provide further evidence of the acute or short-term regulation of PYY_3–36 on energy intake in both human and rodent models.

Role of peptide YY in appetite control

While the aforementioned paragraphs provide clear evidence on the response of PYY to nutrient ingestion, as well as the impact that exogenously administered PYY has on decreasing food intake and body weight, the role of endogenously produced PYY in controlling overall appetite is less frequently studied and less conclusive. Some of the controversy over the role of endogenous PYY on appetite control may stem from some reports that PYY levels are not always correlated with subjective ratings of hunger and fullness⁽ Reference Kozimor, Chang and Cooper ^{51 –} Reference Heden, Liu and Sims ^{53 )}. Importantly, though, there is also evidence that visual analogue scales may not be a good indicator of subjective feelings of hunger and fullness⁽ Reference Livingstone, Robson and Welch ^{54 )}. This limits the ability to determine whether or not PYY directly affects subjective feelings of hunger and fullness. To further complicate the issue, other studies have shown that plasma PYY levels are positively correlated with ratings of fullness and inversely correlated with ratings of hunger⁽ Reference Batterham, Heffron and Kapoor ^{55 ,} Reference Guo, Ma and Enriori ^{56 )}.

The other area of research that generates questions about the role of endogenous PYY levels on appetite control is the relationship between circulating PYY levels and daily food intake or intake at an ad libitum buffet. In rodents, circulating PYY levels following test meals of varying protein content were inversely correlated with food intake⁽ Reference Batterham, Heffron and Kapoor ^{55 )}. This suggests at least a partial role of PYY in appetite regulation. Conversely, in human subjects, neither fasting nor postprandial PYY levels were associated with ad libitum food intake over a 24 h period⁽ Reference Guo, Ma and Enriori ^{56 )}. Therefore, it remains inconclusive whether endogenous PYY levels do in fact make an impact on food intake.

Despite the lack of evidence on the regulation of endogenous PYY levels on food intake, in gastric-bypass patients, postprandial PYY levels are attenuated in those with poor weight loss compared with patients with good weight loss, suggesting an important role for PYY in the regulation of appetite⁽ Reference Le Roux, Welbourn and Werling ^{57 )}. Further, inhibiting PYY results in an increase in both appetite and food intake in human subjects⁽ Reference Le Roux, Welbourn and Werling ^{57 )}. Finally, fasting PYY levels have been negatively correlated with BMI and waist circumference, which suggests a relationship between PYY and energy intake or overall energy homeostasis⁽ Reference Guo, Ma and Enriori ^{56 )}.

Based on the overwhelming evidence on the impact of PYY in the ARC to control food intake, the effectiveness of exogenous PYY on decreasing food intake and body weight, and the relationship between endogenous PYY levels and body weight, this hormone does have an important role in appetite control. However, the fact that higher endogenous PYY levels do not always correspond to lower levels of food intake nor do they always correlate with subjective ratings of hunger and fullness highlights the fact that PYY alone is not responsible for appetite control. Overall appetite control is probably influenced by PYY, other acute hunger and satiety hormones, long-term adiposity signals (such as insulin and leptin), gut mechanoreceptors, visual and olfactory input, socio-economic factors, and food reward and memory⁽ Reference De Silva and Bloom ^{58 )}. Therefore, PYY is just one important piece to the complex puzzle that makes up appetite control.

Peptide YY levels in non-obese v. obese

Fasting PYY levels correlate negatively with BMI⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 ,} Reference Ashby and Bloom ^{59 )}, as levels in obese individuals are lower in the fasting state compared with non-obese individuals⁽ Reference Alvarez, Borque and Martinez-Sarmiento ^{60 )}. This has been shown in both adults⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 )} and children⁽ Reference Roth, Enriori and Harz ^{61 )}. Further, secretion of PYY following a meal has also been shown to be lower in obese subjects as compared with lean subjects⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 ,} Reference Stock, Leichner and Wong ^{62 )}. This holds true even if obese subjects consume more food from a buffet meal than lean counterparts⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 )}. It has also been shown that weight loss leads to an increase in PYY, suggesting that weight loss can restore PYY levels⁽ Reference Roth, Enriori and Harz ^{61 )}. Combined, these studies implicate that there may be a PYY deficiency in the pathogenesis of obesity or that an altered PYY phenotype exists following the onset of obesity. However, obesity does not appear to be associated with PYY resistance as is the case for leptin. PYY infusions in obese subjects result in a similar percentage reduction in food intake as compared with lean subjects. The mechanism(s) by which obese individuals have an altered PYY profile remain unknown. It could be the result of abnormalities in its synthesis, release, and/or clearance⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 )}; however, more work in needed to determine the causes for altered PYY fasting and postprandial profiles in obese individuals.

To complicate this association between weight status and PYY levels, some studies have shown no relationship between BMI or body weight and PYY levels⁽ Reference Kim, Carlson and Jang ^{63 ,} Reference Vazquez Roque, Camilleri and Stephens ^{64 )}. It has been reported that weight loss in obese adolescents did not lead to changes in fasting PYY levels⁽ Reference Gueugnon, Mougin and Nguyen ^{65 )}. Kim et al. ⁽ Reference Kim, Carlson and Jang ^{63 )} also reported that fasting PYY was not correlated with body weight, and PYY AUC was not different between lean and obese older adults following an oral glucose tolerance test. While it is unknown what causes the discrepancies between studies on the relationship between fasting PYY and BMI, the type of test meal incorporated in studies may have an impact on postprandial responses. In studies where differences were seen between obese and lean participants, mixed meals were used⁽ Reference Batterham, Cohen and Ellis ^{25 ,} Reference Stock, Leichner and Wong ^{62 )}. Conversely, the study by Kim et al. ⁽ Reference Kim, Carlson and Jang ^{63 )}, where there were no differences in PYY based on body weight, used an oral glucose tolerance test. It has also been shown that a greater postprandial PYY for normal-weight v. obese subjects exists for high-fat test meals, but not for high-protein or high-carbohydrate test meals⁽ Reference Misra, Tsai and Mendes ^{66 )}. Therefore, the presence of dietary fat may be necessary to show differences in postprandial PYY levels based on weight status. It has been shown that fat components directly stimulate L-cell secretion through activation of G-protein coupled receptor (GPR)-120 receptors. It is possible that in obese individuals, GPR-120 receptors are down-regulated to fat stimulation, which would decrease PYY secretion⁽ Reference Hirasawa, Tsumaya and Awaji ^{67 )}.

Interestingly, one study has even reported that PYY_3–36 levels were positively associated with BMI and waist circumference. This statistically significant correlation was weak (r 0·158), and when participants were put into tertiles based on PYY levels, the BMI levels between the tertiles were quite small (range 27·8–29·5 kg/m²)⁽ Reference Ukkola, Puurunen and Piira ^{68 )}. Clearly more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between body-weight status and both fasting and postprandial PYY levels. Additionally, although there appears to be some effect of body-weight status on PYY levels, it remains to be shown what the mechanism is behind that effect. There may be a genetic component, since plasma PYY was shown to be highly heritable in a phenotyped twin sample. A genetic pleiotropy was also found between PYY levels and BMI, suggesting that genetic variation at the PYY locus may influence weight status and other heritable metabolic syndrome traits⁽ Reference Shih, Wang and Chiron ^{69 )}.

Peptide YY as a therapeutic target for obesity

Because of its well-known role in appetite regulation, PYY analogues are a therapeutic target for weight loss and weight management. Many initially thought that exogenous PYY administration could lead to a potential cure for the obesity epidemic. Indeed, exogenous administration of PYY_3–36 has been shown to reduce body weight and adiposity in normal-weight and obese rodents fed a high-fat diet⁽ Reference Pittner, Moore and Bhavsar ^{70 ,} Reference Chelikani, Haver and Reidelberger ^{71 )}. Additionally, PYY transgenic mice that are crossed with ob/ob (genetically obese) mice exhibit lower body weights and adiposity⁽ Reference Boey, Lin and Enriquez ^{72 )}. There are currently two main issues decreasing the potential for PYY analogues to be effective as a therapeutic target for weight loss. The first issue is the severe gastrointestinal side effects that have been reported with moderate doses up to supra-physiological doses of PYY_3–36 ⁽ Reference Le Roux, Borg and Murphy ^{73 ,} Reference Gantz, Erondu and Mallick ^{74 )}, which greatly limits its impact as a therapeutic target for obesity. The other issue deals with the method of administration. Oral ingestion of the hormone is not absorbed well and some argue that subcutaneous injections are not as effective because they are not directly stimulating the L-cells of the gastrointestinal tract⁽ Reference De Silva and Bloom ^{58 )}. Steinert et al. ⁽ Reference Steinert, Poller and Castelli ^{75 )} more recently reported successful absorption of oral administration of PYY_3–36 with sodium N-caprylate in adult human subjects. Unfortunately, acute and 24 h energy intake was unchanged by the PYY administration, which again limits its potential as a therapeutic target to treat obesity. Therefore, slow progress is being made on the therapeutic front, but many roadblocks still remain. It is also important to recognise that overall energy homeostasis is influenced by a number of parameters and one single hormone is unlikely to be sufficient to permanently alter energy balance.

Effects of exercise on peptide YY

In the past 3 to 4 years, a number of studies have emerged assessing PYY responses to exercise. We, and others, have shown that acute aerobic exercise (ranging from low to high intensity) results in higher circulating plasma PYY levels⁽ Reference Cooper, Watras and Paton ^{52 ,} Reference Martins, Morgan and Bloom ^{76 –} Reference Wasse, Sunderland and King ^{80 )}. While one recent study found no differences in post-exercise PYY for either continuous aerobic exercise or intermittent exercise compared with sedentary conditions⁽ Reference Holmstrup, Fairchild and Keslacy ^{81 )}, most studies show acute increases in PYY levels. Further, this increase appears to be intensity dependent, as greater exercise intensity leads to greater circulating PYY levels⁽ Reference Ueda, Miyamoto and Nakahara ^{82 )}. One study showed that steady-state and high-intensity intermittent exercise both raised post-exercise PYY; however, PYY in the hours following exercise were highest following the high-intensity intermittent exercise⁽ Reference Deighton, Karra and Batterham ^{83 )}. Resistance exercise also acutely increases PYY levels, albeit in a lesser magnitude than aerobic exercise of similar energy output. Further, subjective scores of hunger during both aerobic and resistance exercise are reduced⁽ Reference Broom, Batterham and King ^{84 )}. The increase in PYY following exercise is only an acute response. There is no chronic adaptation to long-term exercise training. This was shown by the lack of change in fasting PYY levels after both aerobic training and resistance training regimens⁽ Reference Guelfi, Donges and Duffield ^{85 )}.

Increased PYY levels as the result of aerobic exercise have also been shown to reduce subsequent energy intake in both lean and obese individuals, indicating an even greater protective effect against weight gain⁽ Reference Ueda, Yoshikawa and Katsura ^{86 )}. Still other studies have shown no differences in energy intake (or even slight increases in energy intake) when comparing post-exercise v. sedentary conditions. Importantly, however, if one takes into account the energy expended during exercise, there is still a greater negative energy balance in those studies exhibiting greater post-exercise PYY levels⁽ Reference Larson-Meyer, Palm and Bansal ^{79 )}.

A few studies have also examined the effects of chronic aerobic exercise. One challenge to these studies is the fact that weight loss usually occurs, making it difficult to determine whether changes in PYY are due to the exercise, weight loss, or a combination of the two. In obese adolescents, exercise training increased fasting PYY levels; however, some loss in fat mass also occurred which could at least partially explain the changes in PYY concentrations⁽ Reference Jones, Basilio and Brophy ^{87 )}. Conversely, a study in obese adults who performed aerobic training for 15 d revealed no differences in fasting or postprandial PYY levels from before to after the training intervention⁽ Reference Kanaley, Heden and Liu ^{88 )}. Yet another study showed no significant differences in PYY responses to an acute bout of exercise following a 12-week aerobic exercise programme. There was a trend (P= 0·06) for higher PYY values post-training; however, significant loss of body weight also occurred in this study⁽ Reference Ueda, Miyamoto and Nakahara ^{82 )}. Similarly, a 3-month weight-loss intervention (that included exercise) did not result in any changes to fasting, 24 h or postprandial PYY levels in previously sedentary adult women⁽ Reference Hill, De Souza and Wagstaff ^{89 )}. Probably the best study to elucidate the effects of chronic exercise independent of weight loss was done by Scheid et al. ⁽ Reference Scheid, De Souza and Leidy ^{90 )} where they showed that fasting PYY did not change following a 3-month exercise intervention in the absence of weight loss. Therefore, it appears that the effect of exercise on PYY is an acute response and that independent of changes in body weight, PYY levels do not change with chronic exercise training.

Effects of ethnicity, sex and age on peptide YY levels

Since weight status appears to influence PYY levels, investigators have explored whether circulating levels of PYY, either in the fasting or postprandial state, differ based on sex, ethnicity or age. To date, the research on race comparisons has been done in Caucasian and African-American individuals. One study in prepubertal children showed that fasting PYY, and PYY following an oral glucose tolerance test, were lower in African-American compared with Caucasian children⁽ Reference Bacha and Arslanian ^{91 )}. Similarly, studies in adults also point toward reduced PYY levels in African-American individuals. One study examining both weight status (obese v. normal weight) and race reported no differences in fasting PYY levels between normal-weight or obese African-American v. Caucasian women. However, postprandial PYY levels were lower in obese African-American women compared with normal-weight African-American women, and both normal-weight and obese Caucasian women⁽ Reference Brownley, Heymen and Hinderliter ^{92 )}. Finally, another study comparing African-American v. Caucasian women (matched for age and BMI) showed that both fasting and postprandial PYY levels were significantly lower in the African-American compared with Caucasian groups. Further, the change in PYY from baseline to 8 h postprandial was also lower in the African-American subjects⁽ Reference Davis, Hickner and Tanenberg ^{93 )}. Together, these studies suggest that the PYY meal response is blunted in African-American compared with Caucasian women and that fasting PYY levels may also be lower. Since African-American women have a higher rate of obesity compared with Caucasian women in the USA^{( 94 ,} Reference Flegal, Carroll and Kit ^{95 )}, understanding the reason behind these differences in PYY could make an impact on future therapeutic targets in African-American populations.

Several studies have explored the possibility of differences in fasting or postprandial PYY in humans based on sex, with conflicting results. One limitation in making comparisons between men and women is the fact that body weight and adiposity are generally not the same between the sexes and this may make an impact on differences in PYY, independent of sex. Indeed, one study showed that women had lower fasting and postprandial PYY levels⁽ Reference Essah, Levy and Sistrun ^{96 )}. However, the male subjects also weighed more and the PYY levels were not adjusted for body weight. Therefore, the elevated PYY levels may be due to the larger body weights in men v. women. Conversely, Kim et al. ⁽ Reference Kim, Carlson and Jang ^{63 )} found that while fasting PYY levels did not differ between men and women, postprandial PYY (AUC) after an oral glucose tolerance test was significantly higher in women compared with men. More recent studies have reported no differences in PYY based on sex. This lack of difference was reported for both resting and acute exercise conditions⁽ Reference Hagobian, Yamashiro and Hinkel-Lipsker ^{97 )}, fasting conditions in normal-weight adults, even without adjustment for differences in body weight or adiposity⁽ Reference St-Onge, O'Keeffe and Roberts ^{98 )}, and with fasting conditions in both lean and obese children⁽ Reference Roth, Enriori and Harz ^{61 )}. Therefore, it appears that fasting PYY levels probably do not differ between men and women; however, there may be differences in acute meal responses. Whether postprandial PYY is higher or lower in men v. women remains to be determined and could be affected by the type of meal consumed as well as the weight status or amount of adiposity in the individuals.

Finally, ageing has been associated with a decrease in appetite⁽ Reference Wurtman, Lieberman and Tsay ^{99 )} and a slowing of gastric emptying⁽ Reference Clarkston, Pantano and Morley ^{100 )}. Since PYY may influence both of these, it was plausible to expect that there may be a role of ageing on circulating PYY levels and responses to nutrients. While CCK has been reported to be higher in older v. younger adults receiving an intraduodenal infusion of lipids and glucose, PYY does not appear to be affected by age⁽ Reference Kim, Carlson and Jang ^{63 ,} Reference MacIntosh, Andrews and Jones ^{101 )}.

Impact of macronutrients on peptide YY

Postprandial PYY concentrations have been shown to be influenced by the macronutrient content of the meal. Unfortunately, at this time, the macronutrient resulting in the greatest PYY response is still being debated by some because it may be influenced by meal composition, obesity status, sex, and possibly age. Nearly all studies are in agreement that carbohydrates induce the smallest PYY response. The debate is whether dietary fats or dietary proteins elicit the greatest PYY response. Early research showed that dietary fat elicited the greatest PYY response⁽ Reference Adrian, Savage and Sagor ^{18 )} while more recent studies have shown that protein results in the greatest PYY response⁽ Reference Batterham, Heffron and Kapoor ^{55 )}. It does appear that more studies support protein as a greater stimulator of PYY levels postprandially compared with fat. This has been shown in normal-weight and obese adults as well as obese adolescent females⁽ Reference Batterham, Heffron and Kapoor ^{55 ,} Reference Misra, Tsai and Mendes ^{66 )}. Importantly, subsequent energy intake and ratings of hunger are also lowest following a protein-rich meal⁽ Reference Batterham, Heffron and Kapoor ^{55 ,} Reference Misra, Tsai and Mendes ^{66 )}. Another study in adolescents showed that the greatest and most sustained PYY response was found after a protein-rich meal followed by a fat-rich meal, and finally by a carbohydrate-rich meal in obese adolescents; however, the normal-weight adolescents responded most strongly to the fat-rich meal⁽ Reference Lomenick, Melguizo and Mitchell ^{102 )}. Therefore, in that study, weight status influenced the magnitude of PYY response to each macronutrient.

As mentioned above, it appears that both fat and protein elicit a greater postprandial PYY response compared with carbohydrates. One study in obese women during energy restriction reported greater PYY levels from high-protein v. high-carbohydrate meals. Unfortunately, this did not translate to differences in subjective hunger or fullness responses⁽ Reference Heden, Liu and Sims ^{53 )}. A single high-fat meal also resulted in greater postprandial PYY levels compared with a high-carbohydrate meal in obese women⁽ Reference Helou, Obeid and Azar ^{103 )}. Further, a 1-week diet that was either low in carbohydrates (high-fat) or high in carbohydrates (low-fat) led to a greater PYY response with the low-carbohydrate (high-fat) diet following test meals of identical composition⁽ Reference Essah, Levy and Sistrun ^{96 )}. This suggests that diets or single meals rich in dietary fat or protein induce a greater PYY response compared with diets or meals rich in carbohydrates. As mentioned above, however, weight status, and possibly age, may affect this response. A study in obese and normal-weight adolescent girls showed that normal-weight girls had a greater PYY response than obese girls to a high-fat meal while no differences between the groups were found following the high-carbohydrate meal⁽ Reference Misra, Tsai and Mendes ^{66 )}. This again points towards the impact that weight status may play on the magnitude of PYY response to different macronutrients. Additionally, the use of different fatty acids or sources of protein could explain some of the discrepancies about which macronutrient stimulates the greatest PYY response. This is explored more in subsequent paragraphs. Finally, all of the aforementioned studies examined acute meal responses. It does not appear that a chronic high-fat diet leads to any differences in fasting PYY levels when compared with a low-fat (high-carbohydrate) diet⁽ Reference Little, Feltrin and Horowitz ^{104 )}.

It is also possible that the type of carbohydrate, fat or protein may influence the magnitude of PYY response. Very little research has been done on the type of protein and its effect on PYY release. Two studies in human subjects have reported no differences in the PYY response to a whey v. casein protein meal⁽ Reference Sukkar, Vaccaro and Ravera ^{105 )} or whey v. both pea protein hydrolysate and a combined casein/whey milk protein (80 % casein, 20 % whey)⁽ Reference Diepvens and Haberer ^{106 )}. Further, a 10-week feeding study in rats found no differences in plasma PYY levels between whey and soya protein diets⁽ Reference Zhou, Keenan and Losso ^{107 )}. Conversely, PYY mRNA was down-regulated in rats following a lifetime of a high-whey diet v. high-casein or high-soya diets⁽ Reference Xiao, Badger and Simmen ^{108 )}. Clearly, more studies are needed to determine the effects of different types of protein or amino acids on PYY levels in humans; however, initial work in human subjects and rats suggests no difference in circulating PYY levels based on different types of dietary protein.

With respect to carbohydrates, one study on glycaemic load and several studies on fibre have been published. The effect of a 1-week high- v. low-glycaemic-load diet was carried out in adult women. No effect was reported on either fasting or postprandial PYY levels⁽ Reference Brownley, Heymen and Hinderliter ^{92 )}. The effects of fibre on PYY have been examined in both acute and long-term diet studies. The addition of wheat fibre to a carbohydrate-rich test meal resulted in a blunted postprandial PYY response compared with control, whereas oat fibre did not differ from the control meal⁽ Reference Weickert, Spranger and Holst ^{109 )}. Conversely, a pre-load of brown beans (higher in fibre) led to significantly higher fasting PYY levels and a greater PYY response at a test meal 10 h following the pre-load when compared with white wheat bread (lower in fibre)⁽ Reference Nilsson, Johansson and Ekstrom ^{110 )}. One long-term fibre supplementation study (4 g/d for 14 weeks) reported an increase in fasting PYY levels, while no differences in postprandial PYY levels were found⁽ Reference Greenway, O'Neil and Stewart ^{111 )}. Similarly, 3 weeks of supplementing with 5–10 g of a fibre supplement per d led to higher fasting PYY levels in adult men and women⁽ Reference Reimer, Pelletier and Carabin ^{112 )}. Therefore, chronic intake of a fibre supplement or a higher-fibre diet appears to increase fasting PYY levels while post-meal responses following either acute meals or chronic feeding studies remain controversial.

Dietary fatty acids and peptide YY

While PYY has been shown to respond to dietary fats, little to no research exists on whether or not the composition of fatty acids can differentially influence PYY release. Only in the last few years has some research in this area emerged. Investigators have examined the form of fat (NEFA v. TAG), the chain length of fatty acids and saturation of fatty acids⁽ Reference Kozimor, Chang and Cooper ^{51 ,} Reference Cooper, Watras and Paton ^{52 ,} Reference Little, Horowitz and Feinle-Bisset ^{113 ,} Reference Little, Russo and Meyer ^{114 )}. In normal-weight men, NEFA administered intragastrically resulted in greater PYY levels than TAG⁽ Reference Little, Russo and Meyer ^{114 )}. With respect to chain length, intraduodenal infusions of either lauric acid (12 : 0) or capric acid (10 : 0) in healthy men showed that PYY levels were greater following 12 : 0 infusion compared with 10 : 0 and control, while 10 : 0 had no effect on PYY levels⁽ Reference Feltrin, Patterson and Ghatei ^{115 )}. Additionally, another study showed that intraduodenal infusions of oleic acid (18 : 1) led to a greater PYY response compared with lauric acid (12 : 0)⁽ Reference Feltrin, Little and Meyer ^{116 )}. Therefore, it appears that chain length is associated with PYY levels (the longer the chain length, the greater the PYY response).

With respect to fatty acid saturation, all of the studies have been done using long-chain fatty acids. Some previous research on subjective feelings of hunger and fullness indicate that fatty acids may influence overall hunger and satiety⁽ Reference Cooper, Watras and Paton ^{52 ,} Reference Casas-Agustench, Lopez-Uriarte and Bullo ^{117 –} Reference Strik, Lithander and McGill ^{120 )}. Lawton et al. ⁽ Reference Lawton, Delargy and Brockman ^{119 )} reported that a meal rich in PUFA exerted the strongest control over appetite, based on subjective responses from visual analogue scale questionnaires as well as energy intake over the whole test day. Only four human studies to date have examined PYY responses to high-fat meals or high-fat diets rich in different fatty acids. These studies all examined fatty acid saturation, rather than chain length, on PYY responses. For the one high-fat diet study, we showed that a 3 d high-fat diet rich in SFA resulted in higher postprandial PYY levels compared with a high-fat diet rich in MUFA in normal-weight men⁽ Reference Cooper, Watras and Paton ^{52 )}. This was only found after an evening meal, and 24 h measures of PYY did not differ between the diets. Additionally, these effects were found only in conjunction with daily aerobic exercise.

The other three remaining studies examined an acute or single high-fat meal response. Maljaars et al. ⁽ Reference Maljaars, Romeyn and Haddeman ^{121 )} reported no differences in PYY levels in normal-weight adults (men and women) following infusions of MUFA, PUFA or SFA. It is important to note that these were infusions of fatty acids via a naso-ileal catheter and not oral consumption of foods containing those fatty acids. Conversely, Robertson et al. ⁽ Reference Robertson, Jackson and Fielding ^{122 )} studied oral consumption of high-fat meals rich in either SFA, MUFA or PUFA. They showed a trend for both SFA- and PUFA-rich meals to stimulate a greater PYY response compared with a MUFA-rich meal in postmenopausal women⁽ Reference Robertson, Jackson and Fielding ^{122 )}. Finally, we recently showed that in normal-weight, premenopausal women, postprandial PYY levels were significantly higher for high-fat meals rich in PUFA and SFA compared with MUFA⁽ Reference Kozimor, Chang and Cooper ^{51 )}. Based on the evidence published so far, it appears that the fatty acid composition of a meal or diet may influence the magnitude of postprandial PYY responses, and that PUFA and SFA induce a greater PYY response compared with MUFA. Since MUFA are considered more ‘heart healthy’ than SFA, this information could have significant implications for public health recommendations. If MUFA are promoted over SFA, it may be important to suggest including these fats with foods that may have a greater impact on satiety, such as lean sources of protein or fibre in order to prevent overconsumption.

Mechanisms behind the role of fatty acid composition on peptide YY levels

Since research on the significant effects of dietary fatty acid composition on postprandial PYY levels in human subjects has only recently been published, little to no information exists on the mechanisms behind these effects. Because PYY release is affected by CCK levels⁽ Reference Degen, Drewe and Piccoli ^{29 )}, it is possible that the effect of fatty acid composition on PYY is an indirect one through CCK. In the study mentioned above by Robertson et al. ⁽ Reference Robertson, Jackson and Fielding ^{122 )} it was shown that peak CCK release after a high-fat meal challenge was greatest with a meal rich in SFA compared with either MUFA or PUFA. Since CCK does influence PYY release, greater CCK following a SFA-rich meal may be at least one of the mechanisms behind the greater PYY levels that we reported for SFA- v. MUFA-rich high-fat meals⁽ Reference Kozimor, Chang and Cooper ^{51 )}.

Another hypothesis is related to the rate of digestion and absorption of different long-chain fatty acids. It has been shown in some very early studies that oils higher in MUFA and PUFA are absorbed more quickly than oils rich in SFA⁽ Reference Steenbock, Irwin and Weber ^{123 –} Reference Hoagland and Snider ^{126 )}. While the present study was carried out in rodents, a human study showed support for slower absorption of SFA-rich high-fat meals compared with MUFA- or PUFA-rich meals based on postprandial chylomicron appearance in plasma⁽ Reference Jackson, Robertson and Fielding ^{127 )}. A slower absorption rate for SFA would mean that these fatty acids would be in contact with the endocrine L-cells that release PYY for longer periods of time. Therefore, the absorption rate of different fatty acids could probably affect the magnitude of PYY response. Since both of the aforementioned hypotheses have not been exclusively shown to be true, more work is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms behind the differential PYY response to different dietary fatty acids. Additionally, more research is needed to see if the differences we reported in normal-weight, premenopausal women persist in other populations, such as males, obese individuals, and adolescents or children.

Future direction

Despite the fact that there are literally hundreds of studies that have been published on PYY, very little is known about the mechanisms by which nutrient ingestion stimulates the release of PYY from the enteroendocrine L-cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the hypotheses mentioned above regarding the mechanisms behind different PYY responses to various dietary fatty acids may also be appropriate for other nutrients. It is known that CCK affects PYY release, although the exact mechanism behind this regulation is not clear⁽ Reference Degen, Drewe and Piccoli ^{29 )}. It has also been shown that dietary fat can directly stimulate PYY secretion from the L-cells through activation of GPR-120 receptors⁽ Reference Hirasawa, Tsumaya and Awaji ^{67 )}. Whether there are other proteins or hormones that can directly interact with the L-cells to release PYY remains to be determined. Additionally, we mentioned above that the length of time that nutrients are in contact with the L-cells influences the degree of PYY release; however, this has not been conclusively shown⁽ Reference Kozimor, Chang and Cooper ^{51 )}. Therefore, there is a need for more research to elucidate the mechanisms by which nutrients affect the release of PYY as well as the factors that influence the magnitude of PYY release independent of total energy consumption. Finally, our recent findings on the differential release of PYY in response to high-fat meals rich in different fatty acids opens up a new avenue for research. Previous studies have focused on how macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) influence PYY response, with little thought as to the type of carbohydrate, fat or protein being tested. More research on the influence of different dietary sources or types of carbohydrates, fats or proteins on PYY levels is warranted.

Conclusion

Great progress in understanding the role of PYY as a satiety hormone and its influence on energy homeostasis has occurred in the last 30 years. Further, we now know more about the other actions of PYY in the body, how exercise and different foods or nutrients affect PYY levels, and how age, sex, ethnicity and weight status can make an impact on PYY levels. Since obesity continues to be an epidemic of great concern in the USA and worldwide, additional research on the possibilities of using PYY as a therapeutic target for obesity without the negative side effects is warranted. However, as mentioned above, there are challenges facing the therapeutic potential of PYY given that the common side effect of PYY administration is nausea and that there are a number of hunger and satiety signals that probably influence overall energy intake. Therefore, future studies should explore if chronic, low doses of PYY can be effective at reducing food intake over time without the negative side effects as well as the development of a way to administer PYY in order to bypass the negative gastrointestinal issues that currently occur. Future work on other pharmacological, nutrient and dietary options as a potential way to alter PYY levels, and possibly energy intake, should also be explored. Finally, the mechanisms behind the release of PYY following nutrient ingestion and how different types of fatty acids, proteins or carbohydrates can affect the magnitude of release need to be studied further.