The relationship between postprandial bile acid concentration, GLP-1, PYY and ghrelin

Background Gut hormones peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) play an integral role in appetite control and energy homeostasis. Entero-endocrine L-cells can be stimulated by nutrients and or bile acids to co-secrete PYY and GLP-1. The aim of this study was to determine the response of bile acids, PYY, GLP-1 and ghrelin after a test meal. Design Twelve subjects with a BMI of 22.8 (0.52) kg/m(2) [mean (SEM)] received a 400 kcal test meal after which blood samples were taken every 30 min from 0 to 180 min. PYY, GLP-1 and ghrelin were measured by radioimmunoassays. Fractionated bile acids were measured by HPLC-MSMS. Results PYY positively correlated with glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) (rs = 0.23, P = 0.03) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) (rs = 0.26, P = 0.02). GLP-1 positively correlated with GCDCA (rs = 0.22, P = 0.047) and glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA) (rs = 0.3, P = 0.005). Ghrelin negatively correlated with GDCA (rs = -0.45, P <= 0.0001), TCDCA (rs = -0.23, P = 0.034) and taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) (rs = -0.44, P <= 0.0001). Conclusion PYY and GLP-1 responses correlated with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) counterparts, whereas ghrelin negatively correlated with deoxycholic acid (DCA) counterparts. Specific bile acids may thus differentially affect entero-endocrine cells.