Anorexigenic Gut Peptides

The anorexigenic peptides are derived from the Greek words ἀν- (an-, “without”) and ὄρεξις (órexis, “appetite”), meaning “without appetite.” They are primarily produced in the stomach to suppress appetite and food intake (Sobrino Crespo et al., 2014).

Anorexigenic gut peptides are signaling molecules that help regulate appetite, satiety, gastric emptying, and energy balance through communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. Important examples include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), cholecystokinin (CCK), and oxyntomodulin. These peptides can act through peripheral and central pathways, including signaling involving the vagus nerve and hypothalamic brain regions that participate in appetite regulation.

Their release is influenced by factors such as food intake, nutrient composition, and the presence of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract. For example, GLP-1 and PYY are released predominantly from intestinal L cells after eating and contribute to post-meal satiety. CCK is released mainly from the small intestine in response to dietary fat and protein and can promote satiation and slow gastric emptying. Together, these signals form part of a complex gut-brain network that coordinates eating behavior and energy homeostasis.

Importantly, Anorexigenic Gut Peptides do not regulate appetite independently. They interact with orexigenic signals, including ghrelin, as well as neural, metabolic, and hormonal pathways involved in hunger and satiety. This integrated signaling system helps the body respond to food availability and energy status. Understanding these mechanisms is important in nutritional psychology because gut-derived signals can influence physiological aspects of eating behavior, while psychological, environmental, and social factors also contribute to food choices and eating patterns.