Processed Meat and Brain Regions Related to Reward and Addiction (RewCrav)

Effects of Processed Meat on Brain Regions Related to Reward and Craving in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Obese Subjects and Healthy Controls

The purpose of this study is to

1. Compare effects of two isocaloric meals (processed meat hamburger vs. vegetarian sandwich) in response to the postprandial period by using functional brain imaging of reward circuitry implicated in food motivation and energy balance in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), obese subjects and healthy controls.
2. Characterize some of the pathophysiological mechanisms of action of different meals in obese and T2D subjects vs. in healthy controls (serum concentrations of glucose, FFA, IRI, C-peptide, gastrointestinal hormones, oxidative stress markers)

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Processed meat hamburger; Other: Vegan sandwich

Detailed Description

The mesolimbic dopaminergic system of the brain, which converges on the nucleus accumbens (part of the striatum), plays a central role in reward and craving, and this system appears to mediate hedonic food responses. In rodent studies, extracellular concentrations of dopamine and its metabolites in the nucleus accumbens increased more after the consumption of highly palatable food than standard rodent feed pellets. Furthermore, microinjections of opiate into the nucleus accumbens increased food intake and the reward value of food. Clinical studies that used functional brain imaging have reported greater activation in the nucleus accumbens or other regions of the striatum in obese than lean individuals after they viewed or consumed palatable, high-calorie food. Of particular interest, striatal dopamine D2 receptor availability was significantly lower in obese individuals than in nonobese matched controls, which raised the possibility that overeating may compensate for low dopaminergic activity. The recurrent activation of the striatum may down-regulate dopamine availability and further heighten the drive to overeat. However, the information on the exact effect of different foods and nutrients on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system is missing.

Preliminary findings that lead to the project

A positive association between high consumption of total and red meat, especially processed meat, and incidence of T2D has been demonstrated. Previous studies support the concept that increased oxidative stress may play an important role in T2D manifestation. Dietary fat quality has been proposed to be a critical factor. Several studies have suggested that a high intake of saturated fatty acids naturally present in meat contributes to the risk of glucose intolerance. In an intervention study, humans suffering from metabolic syndrome who were consuming a diet rich in saturated fats displayed higher oxidative stress markers postprandially. It is not clear if saturated fatty acids per se or via increased oxidative stress markers may activate the mesolimbic dopaminergic system.

In contrast, some intervention trials (including ours) demonstrated a greater improvement in insulin sensitivity, glycemic control and a reduction in oxidative stress markers in T2D patients consuming a vegetarian diet compared to a conventional diabetic diet. The effect of a vegetarian diet on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system has not been studied yet.

Aims and priorities of the project

The purpose of this study is to

1. Compare effects of two isocaloric meals (processed meat hamburger vs. vegetarian sandwich) in response to the postprandial period by using functional brain imaging of reward circuitry implicated in food motivation and energy balance in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), obese subjects and healthy controls.
2. Characterize some of the pathophysiological mechanisms of action of different meals in obese and T2D subjects vs. in healthy controls (serum concentrations of glucose, FFA, IRI, C-peptide, gastrointestinal hormones, oxidative stress markers)

Hypothesis

1. Obese and T2D subjects relative to lean healthy controls will show greater activation in the gustatory cortex and in somatosensory regions in response to the intake of processed meat hamburger (vs. a vegetarian sandwich). However, they will also show decreased activation in the caudate nucleus in response to consumption of processed meat hamburger (vs. a vegetarian sandwich).
2. Changes in serum concentrations of glucose, FFA, IRI, C-peptide, gastrointestinal hormones and oxidative stress markers will be involved in gut-brain axis signaling. The investigators hypothesise to find an association between postprandial changes in serum concentrations of FFA and postprandial changes in activation in the gustatory cortex and in somatosensory regions of the brain.

The actual need for this study The pandemic of obesity and diabetes especially in western countries calls for high-quality research and relevant action. A better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the stimulation of brain regions involved in reward and craving in response to processed meat, one of the most significant present risk factors for obesity and type 2 diabetes, is needed in order to develop more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Czechia
  • Czech Republic
    • Prague, Czech Republic, Czechia, 14021
      • Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 30 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria for T2D:

1. Type 2 diabetes mellitus for at least one year
2. Treatment of T2D: diet or oral antidiabetic agents (stable drug therapy at least 3 month before the trial

3. The presence of metabolic syndrome - any three of the following symptoms:

   • Abdominal obesity - waist circumf. in men> 102 cm, in women > 88 cm
   • Diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes or raised fasting plasma glucose level (FPG>5,6 mmol/l)
   • Raised blood pressure (BP): systolic BP > 130 mm Hg or diastolic BP >85 mm Hg, or treatment of previously diagnosed hypertension
   • Reduced HDL cholesterol in men < 1 mmol/l, in women < 1,3 mmol/l (or treatment)
   • Raised triglycerides > 1,7 mmol/l (or treatment)
4. HbA1c (according to IFCC) ≥4.2 a ≤10.5%
5. Men and women aged 30-70 years
6. Body Mass Index (kg/m2) in the range of 25- 45
7. The signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria for T2D:

1. Type 1 diabetes mellitus
2. Unstable drug therapy at least 3 month before the trial
3. Treatment with Byetta or Victosa
4. Pregnancy (positive β-HCG test), breast feeding or trying to become pregnant
5. Presence of pacemaker or other metal implant in the body (MR)
6. Alcoholism or drug use
7. Significant weight loss (more than 5% of body weight) in previous 3 months before the screening
8. Presence of other medical condition, which occurs during physical examination, laboratory tests, ECG, including pulmonary, neurological or inflammatory disease, which would be considered by the examiner to distort the consistency of data
9. Metal in the body (fMRI)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Type 2 diabetics; Patients with type 2 diabetes Interventions: processed meat hamburger and vegan sandwich	Other: Processed meat hamburger; MacMuffin Fresh 300 ml Cafe Latte + 21 g sugar Energy: 513.6 kcal Carbohydrates 55g (44.8%) Proteins 20.5g (16.7%) Lipids 22 g (38.6%); Other: Vegan sandwich; Burger with tofu + 300 ml green tea Energy 514.9 kcal Carbohydrates 54.2 g (44%) Proteins 19.9 g (16.2%) Lipids 22.8 g (39.8%)
Active Comparator: Obese subjects; Obese subjects without diabetes Interventions: processed meat hamburger and vegan sandwich	Other: Processed meat hamburger; MacMuffin Fresh 300 ml Cafe Latte + 21 g sugar Energy: 513.6 kcal Carbohydrates 55g (44.8%) Proteins 20.5g (16.7%) Lipids 22 g (38.6%); Other: Vegan sandwich; Burger with tofu + 300 ml green tea Energy 514.9 kcal Carbohydrates 54.2 g (44%) Proteins 19.9 g (16.2%) Lipids 22.8 g (39.8%)
Active Comparator: Healthy lean controls; Healthy lean controls Interventions: processed meat hamburger and vegan sandwich	Other: Processed meat hamburger; MacMuffin Fresh 300 ml Cafe Latte + 21 g sugar Energy: 513.6 kcal Carbohydrates 55g (44.8%) Proteins 20.5g (16.7%) Lipids 22 g (38.6%); Other: Vegan sandwich; Burger with tofu + 300 ml green tea Energy 514.9 kcal Carbohydrates 54.2 g (44%) Proteins 19.9 g (16.2%) Lipids 22.8 g (39.8%)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Functional brain imaging of reward circuitry	fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain pre- and postprandially simultaneously with both meal tests with the use of the modern method of arterial spin labeling (ASL) which allows quantification of the blood perfusion of the brain regions involved in craving and reward.	24 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Serum concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones	Plasma concentrations of selected gut hormones will be measured enzymatically using standard kits	24 months
Serum concentrations of oxidative stress markers	Plasma concentrations of selected oxidative stress markers will be measured enzymatically using standard kits	24 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine
• Investigators: Study Chair: Dagmar Koveslygetyova, Bc, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Malinska H, Klementova M, Kudlackova M, Veleba J, Hoskova E, Oliyarnyk O, Markova I, Thieme L, Hill M, Pelikanova T, Kahleova H. A plant-based meal reduces postprandial oxidative and dicarbonyl stress in men with diabetes or obesity compared with an energy- and macronutrient-matched conventional meal in a randomized crossover study. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2021 Sep 10;18(1):84. doi: 10.1186/s12986-021-00609-5.
• Kahleova H, Tintera J, Thieme L, Veleba J, Klementova M, Kudlackova M, Malinska H, Oliyarnyk O, Markova I, Haluzik M, Pavlovicova R, Hill M, Tura A, Pelikanova T. A plant-based meal affects thalamus perfusion differently than an energy- and macronutrient-matched conventional meal in men with type 2 diabetes, overweight/obese, and healthy men: A three-group randomized crossover study. Clin Nutr. 2021 Apr;40(4):1822-1833. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2020.10.005. Epub 2020 Oct 9.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: August 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 2, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 14, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): June 17, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 27, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 26, 2018
• Last Verified: March 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
• Other Study ID Numbers: G251