Frontiers in Nutrition (Oct 2023)

Energy deficiency promotes rhythmic foraging behavior by activating neurons in paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus

  • Shanshan Wu,
  • Shanshan Wu,
  • Shanshan Wu,
  • Shanshan Wu,
  • Jing Wang,
  • Jing Wang,
  • Jing Wang,
  • Jing Wang,
  • Yang Xu,
  • Yang Xu,
  • Yang Xu,
  • Yang Xu,
  • Zicheng Zhang,
  • Xinchen Jin,
  • Yixiao Liang,
  • Yixiao Liang,
  • Yixiao Liang,
  • Yixiao Liang,
  • Yueping Ge,
  • Yueping Ge,
  • Yueping Ge,
  • Yueping Ge,
  • Huidong Zhan,
  • Huidong Zhan,
  • Huidong Zhan,
  • Huidong Zhan,
  • Li Peng,
  • Li Peng,
  • Li Peng,
  • Li Peng,
  • Dandan Luo,
  • Dandan Luo,
  • Dandan Luo,
  • Mengzhu Li,
  • Mengzhu Li,
  • Mengzhu Li,
  • Wenkai Bi,
  • Wenkai Bi,
  • Wenkai Bi,
  • Qingbo Guan,
  • Qingbo Guan,
  • Qingbo Guan,
  • Zhao He,
  • Zhao He,
  • Zhao He,
  • Zhao He

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1278906
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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BackgroundDysregulation of feeding behavior leads to a variety of pathological manifestations ranging from obesity to anorexia. The foraging behavior of animals affected by food deficiency is not fully understood.MethodsHome-Cage system was used to monitor the behaviors. Immunohistochemical staining was used to monitor the trend of neuronal activity. Chemogenetic approach was used to modify neuronal activity.ResultsWe described here a unique mouse model of foraging behavior and unveiled that food deprivation significantly increases the general activities of mice with a daily rhythmic pattern, particularly foraging behavior. The increased foraging behavior is potentiated by food cues (mouthfeel, odor, size, and shape) and energy deficit, rather than macronutrient protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Notably, energy deficiency increases nocturnal neuronal activity in paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH), accompanying a similar change in rhythmic foraging behavior. Activating neuronal activity in PVH enhances the amplitude of foraging behavior in mice. Conversely, inactivating neuronal activity in PVH decreases the amplitude of foraging behavior and impairs the rhythm of foraging behavior.DiscussionThese results illustrate that energy status and food cues regulate the rhythmic foraging behavior via PVH neuronal activity. Understanding foraging behavior provides insights into the underlying mechanism of eating-related disorders.

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