Establishing orexigenic vagal afferent subclass and its physiological and pharmacological roles for treating anorexia

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K08546
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General physiology
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University (2018-2019); Jichi Medical University (2017)
• Principal Investigator: Iwasaki Yusaku 京都府立大学, 生命環境科学研究科, 教授 (60528420)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 食欲不振 / 求心性迷走神経 / TRPA1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The hypophagia/anorexia exacerbates the health conditions, however, there is no effective therapeutic medicine to treat the eating disorder. This study demonstrated that diallyl trisulfide (DATS), which is one of characteristic ingredient and potent TRPA1 agonist in the garlic, increased food intake by interacting with TRPA1-expressing and novel subclass of vagal afferents with orexigenic role. Moreover, DATS enhanced food intake in hypophagic model mice (stress and aging). Therefore, DATS and/or the method of activation of TRPA1-expressing vagal afferents might be effective in treating hypophagia/anorexia and its related disorder.

Free Research Field

生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

求心性迷走神経の摂食調節作用においては、満腹感形成に関わることはこれまでの研究で分かっていたが、空腹感（食欲増進）の形成機序は不明な点が多かった。本研究で、TRPA1を発現する求心性迷走神経が食欲促進シグナルを中枢神経系へ伝達することを新たに見出し、自律神経科学・生理学分野の新知見である。加えて、食欲増進食品として香辛料を経験的に使用しているが、その科学的根拠を示す成果となった。