Objective: The mechanisms responsible for the reduction in appetite and slowing of gastric emptying in older persons are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on small intestinal regulation of appetite, GI hormone release, and gastric myoelectrical activity.
Methods: Thirteen older (65-84 yr) and 13 young (18-32 yr) healthy men received isovolumetric, intraduodenal (i.d.) infusions of saline (control), lipid, and glucose for 120 min, on separate days. The energy content of the lipid and glucose infusions was identical at 2.86 kcal/min. Immediately after the i.d. infusions, each subject was offered a buffet meal, and ad libitum food intake was quantified. Blood glucose and plasma insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide were measured. Gastric myoelectrical activity was measured by surface electrogastrography (EGG).
Results: I.d. lipid suppressed food intake in both the young and older men (p < 0.05), whereas i.d. glucose suppressed food intake only in the older men (p < 0.05). The blood glucose (p < 0.01) and insulin (p < 0.05) responses to i.d. glucose were greater in older than young men. However, there were no differences in glucagon-like peptide 1 or glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide responses to any of the infusions. There was a greater increase in the EGG power ratio both during and after i.d. glucose infusion in the young (p < 0.05) than the older men, and an attenuation of EGG frequency by nutrient infusions in older, but not young, men.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that aging is associated with nutrient-specific changes in appetite, hormonal, and gastric myoelectrical (EGG) responses to i.d. nutrients. An enhanced satiating effect of small intestinal carbohydrates may potentially contribute to the anorexia of aging.