title: Ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin as possible predictors of the hedonic value of odors.
abstract: Several lines of evidence point to a close relationship between the hormones of energy homeostasis and the olfactory system. Examples are the localization of leptin and adiponectin receptors in the olfactory system or increased activation of brain regions related to the palatability and the hedonic value of food in response to food pictures after application of ghrelin. In this preliminary study, we tested in 31 subjects (17 male and 14 female) if and to what extent the peripheral blood concentrations of "satiety" hormones, such as leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin (acyl and total), are correlated with the self-ratings of odor pleasantness and with the objective olfactory and gustatory ability. The hedonic values of some odors were found to be differently rated between donors depending on gender and body weight. The concentrations of leptin, adiponectin and total ghrelin were significantly associated with the hedonic value of pepper black oil, but failed to show significant correlations for 5 other odors tested. Except for a significant association between leptin and odor identification, hormone concentrations were not linked to the abilities of smell and taste. Peripheral adipokines and gut hormones may alter the perception and pleasantness of specific odors, presumably either directly through their receptors in the olfactory system or indirectly through central interfaces between the regulation systems of olfaction, appetite control, memory and motivation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. sokratis.trellakis@uk-essen.de
authors.forename: Sokratis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trellakis
authors.forename: Sefik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tagay
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Alena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rydleuskaya
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scherag
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bruderek
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schlegl
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greve
authors.forename: Ali E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Canbay
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brandau
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001069:Appetite Regulation; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D029222:Piper nigrum / Q000378:metabolism; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012527:Satiation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D054439:Ghrelin; D020738:Leptin; D010938:Plant Oils