Dietary triglycerides act on mesolimbic structures to regulate the rewarding and motivational aspects of feeding.

ABSTRACT: Circulating triglycerides (TGs) normally increase after a meal but are altered in pathophysiological conditions, such as obesity. Although TG metabolism in the brain remains poorly understood, several brain structures express enzymes that process TG-enriched particles, including mesolimbic structures. For this reason, and because consumption of high-fat diet alters dopamine signaling, we tested the hypothesis that TG might directly target mesolimbic reward circuits to control reward-seeking behaviors. We found that the delivery of small amounts of TG to the brain through the carotid artery rapidly reduced both spontaneous and amphetamine-induced locomotion, abolished preference for palatable food and reduced the motivation to engage in food-seeking behavior. Conversely, targeted disruption

SUBMITTER: Cansell C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4303340 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature