Cognitive and hedonic responses to meal ingestion correlate with changes in circulating metabolites.
BACKGROUND
We have previously shown that meal ingestion induces cognitive perception (sensations) with a hedonic dimension (well-being) that depends on the characteristics of the meal and the appropriateness of the digestive response. The aim of the present study is to identify metabolomic biomarkers of the cognitive response to meal ingestion.


METHODS
In 18 healthy subjects, the response to a test meal (Edanec, 1 kcal/mL) ingested until maximum satiation (50 mL/min) was assessed. Perception measurements and blood samples were taken before, at the end of the meal, and 20 min after ingestion. The cognitive response and the hedonic dimension were measured on 10 cm scales. Metabolomic analysis was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and values of triglycerides, insulin, peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were determined using conventional laboratory techniques.


RESULTS
Ingestion up to maximum satiation induced sensation of fullness and decreased digestive well-being. The total amount ingested by each subject correlated with the basal sensation of hunger, but not with other sensations or blood metabolite levels. Immediately after ingestion, satiation correlated with an increase in glucose (R = 0.49; p = 0.038) and valine levels (R = 0.48; p = 0.043). Twenty-minutes after finalizing ingestion, triglyceride levels had significantly increased which correlated with the recovery in well-being (R = 0.48; p = 0.046) and the decrease in desire to eat a food of choice (R = -0.56; p = 0.016). The increase in lipids inversely correlated with abdominal discomfort (R = -0.51; p = 0.032).


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive and hedonic responses to meal ingestion correlate with changes in circulating metabolites, which may serve as objective biomarkers of perception.
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Malagelada
Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Barba
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Accarino
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Molne
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Mendez
Gallina Blanca Star Group, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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Campos
Gallina Blanca Star Group, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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Gonzalez
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Alonso-Cotoner
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Santos
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Malagelada
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Azpiroz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals / Q000502:physiology*; D055432:Metabolomics / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019894:Peptide YY / Q000097:blood; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology*; D012527:Satiation / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D007328:Insulin; D019894:Peptide YY; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
hedonic response; meal ingestion; metabolomics; postprandial sensations