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

Summary 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/m2 [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.