Central and peripheral GLP-1 systems independently suppress eating

GLP-1 is an incretin hormone and neuromodulator produced by gut enterocytes and CNS neurons. Brierley et al. find that GLP-1 from peripheral and central sources acts independently through distinct gut-brain circuits to suppress eating. The anorexigenic peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is secreted from gut enteroendocrine cells and brain preproglucagon (PPG) neurons, which, respectively, define the peripheral and central GLP-1 systems. PPG neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) are widely assumed to link the peripheral and central GLP-1 systems in a unified gut-brain satiation circuit. However, direct evidence for this hypothesis is lacking, and the necessary circuitry remains to be demonstrated. Here we show that PPG(NTS) neurons encode satiation in mice, consistent with vagal signalling of gastrointestinal distension. However, PPG(NTS) neurons predominantly receive vagal input from oxytocin-receptor-expressing vagal neurons, rather than those expressing GLP-1 receptors. PPG(NTS) neurons are not necessary for eating suppression by GLP-1 receptor agonists, and concurrent PPG(NTS) neuron activation suppresses eating more potently than semaglutide alone. We conclude that central and peripheral GLP-1 systems suppress eating via independent gut-brain circuits, providing a rationale for pharmacological activation of PPG(NTS) neurons in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists as an obesity treatment strategy.

Automated summary

GLP-1 suppresses eating through independent gut-brain circuits, with PPG(NTS) neurons not being necessary for the eating suppression effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Concurrent activation of PPG(NTS) neurons can more effectively suppress eating than using semaglutide alone.