Stress and appetite

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Introduction to Stress and the HPA axis

The HPA axis

The HPA axis is comprised of the Hypothalamus, the Pituitary and the Adrenal gland. The hypothalamus acts as the control centre for most of the hormonal systems in the body. In response to a stressor, be it psychological or physiological, corticotropin-releasing Factor (CRF) is secreted. CRF is a polypeptide hormone which is synthesised in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and released from the median eminance. CRF induces corticotropes at the anterior pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). In turn, ACTH acts on the adrenal glands on the kidneys to stimulate the release of adrenal hormones, of which cortisol is one. Cortisol is the 'stress hormone'. Its release triggers negative feedback to the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, thus resulting in a drop of circulating ACTH and cortisol levels. Cortisol also initiates metabolic effects which facilitate a return to homeostatsis.

Introduction to the neural mechanisms of appetite control and the interconnections to the HPA axis

In the paragraph above we were introduced to the HPA axis and what it entails. This section aims to give a general understanding to how the brain is involved in regulating appetite, and how it is connected to the HPA axis to allow for stress to have an impact on appetite, which will be discussed in greater detail further along.

In light of the current obesity epidemic there has been a great deal of research gone into trying to figure out exactly what causes an obese person to over-eat, or store more energy, compared with a normal weight person. And recent years have seen a great deal of light shed on the neural mechanisms of appetite control. A full account of the control of appetite and its areas in the brain are beyond the scope of this article, but this section aims to highlight the key features so that the connection between stress and appetite can be made.

There are several peptides circulating in our bodies which inform the brain of the body’s nutritional status. These include insulin (acts to suppress appetite), leptin (acts to suppress appetite) and ghrelin (acts to induce appetite) which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the hypothalamus via the Arcuate Nucleus (ARC) where they have their effect (Schwartz et al, 2000). In ARC there are populations of neurons which produce and release substances which have either orexigenic effects (induce feeding) or anorexigeninc effects (suppress feeding). The orexigenic neurons, which signal hunger, or a negative energy state, are Neuropeptide Y (NPY)/Agouti-related Peptide (AgRP). These are inhibited by increased levels of insulin and leptin, which demonstrates that insulin and leptin act as appetite inhibitors. However, increasing levels of insulin and leptin have excitatory effects on another type of neuron, the anorexigenic peptide releasing neuron Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) which releases pro-opiomelanocortin, which is further cleaved into melanocortins. One of the key melanocortins here is alpha-MSH, a potent anorexigenic molecule, which acts on the MC4 receptor to suppress feeding/hunger. An additional feature of the orexigenic pathway is that AgRP antagonises MC4, thus increasing NPY/AgRP neurons orexigenic power (Schwartz et al., 2000).

Neurons from the ARC extend to other parts of the hypothalamus, such as to the Lateral Hypothalamus (LH), and the Paraventricular hypothalamus (PVN) and it is here the second-order signalling is postulated to take place. PVN stimulation causes inhibition of eating, whilst LH stimulation has the opposite effect. (Schwartsz et al, 2000). It is in the PVN we see the interconnection between feeding control and the HPA (stress) axis and it is here where the main activator of the HPA axis, Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), is synthesised. It has been demonstrated that NPY neurons have abundant projections here, and that they are in close proximity to CRF cell bodies (Demitrov et al, 2007). (Demitrov et al, (2007), also showed that NPY had a stimulatory effect on CRF release, indicating that hunger can cause stress, but this will not be discussed here).

Studies by Jhanwar-Uniyal et al (1993) demonstrated two important findings, first that PVN is indeed innervated by NPY neurons projecting from the ARC (shown by correlation of NPY levels in the PVN and ARC, this correlation did not exist for other hypothalamic areas) and secondly, they found that direct injection of NPY into the PVN potently affected eating behaviour, leading to an increase of ingestion of carbohydrate dense food (no increase was seen in ingestion of protein and fat). This preference for carbohydrate dense food when stressed; and the biological relevance, will be discussed further along.

So as stated above, the key area of connection between the HPA axis and regulation of feeding is the PVN. Here there are innervating NPY neurons (Orexigenic) and CRF synthesis (Activator of the HPA axis) which seem to act on each other in a classic feedback loop. CRF inhibits NPY thus initially being anorexigenic, however, once it has activated the HPA axis and glucocorticoids (GCs) are produced which then feed back to the brain and inhibit CRF, this inhibition is blocked, and feeding occurs. The more GCs present in the body (ie sustained activation of the HPA axis) the greater the inhibition of the CRF inhibition on NPY, thus, GCs stimulate NPY resulting in an orexigenic drive. However, as said, GCs inhibit CRF release which downstream will stop the release of GCs, thus completing the feedback loop (Cavagnini et al, 2000).

Green indicates anorexigenic pathways/neurons and red indicates orexigenic pathways. This figure represents the basic neural mechanisms of appetite, with emphasis on the PVN and how it relates to the HPA axis

The control of appetite is immensely complex and this section only offers a brief overview (please see references for more detail). As has been described, there are several mechanisms in which appetite and stress are related to each other, and the significance of this will be discussed further along. The aim behind most research done in this field is to offer a solution to the growing morbidity of our generation as a result of obesity. Stress-induced eating has been shown to play a part in the obesity epidemic and it is the main objective of this paper to discuss the impact of stress on eating.

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Acute Stress and Appetite

Why do you reach for that extra double chocolate chip cookie after a stressful day?

Stress is known to affect every body system and contributes to many of the negative health behaviours which impact todays’ society, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension. With obesity becoming the world-wide epidemic which underlies many of these life-threatening diseases, many researchers have chosen to study the connection between novel stressors and an individuals eating behaviour, for example amount of food eaten and choice of food.

Both human and rodent studies into this area have illustrated a greater caloric intake after exposure to a novel lab stressor. Quick run-down of mechanisms behind this.

Paragraph on why you choose sweeter / fatty foods after acute stress

The psychology behind the link between stress and eating

Stress can have influences on eating behaviours in two ways; it can either cause under or over eating. Most people tend to change their eating patterns when they are experiencing stressful situations, for example an individual who is under extreme pressure at work would be more likely to choose to eat food high in sugar and fat, which in the long term could lead to weight gain and ultimately obesity. Similarly, one study demonstrated that people in a sad state were more inclined to eat high sugar and fat food whereas people who ate during a happy state were more likely to eat healthier food such as dried fruit. It is also thought that people who are already classified as being overweight or obese are expected to put on even more weight when they are under periods of stress.

In recent years there has been much interest and research into the physiology behind eating behaviours but it has become obvious that both internal and external factors can have an effect on an individual’s feelings and any consequences which arise due to this.

Studies have shown that glucocorticoids play a major role in eating behaviours and also in learning, memory and habit formation. It has been shown that stress-induced increases in glucocorticoid secretion have an intensifying effect on emotions and motivation and it also appears to increase calorie intake. As glucocorticoids increase so does insulin secretion which is a key feature of type 2 diabetes which can occur as a result of obesity. Insulin is thought to have a role in the selection of food, whilst glucocorticoids increase the motivation for choosing a particular food.

There is a relationship between individuals who are feeling stressed prior to eating and then feeling better after they have eaten highly palatable foods. Infrequent eating of pleasurable foods when under a period of stress will not lead to obesity but eating pleasurable foods more often will develop habits to try to relieve the stress and in the long term this can lead to weight gain and obesity.

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