Structural equation modeling of food craving across the menstrual cycle using behavioral, neuroendocrine, and metabolic factors
Sridevi Krishnan, Karan Agrawal, Rebecca R Tryon, Lucas C Welch, William F Horn, John W Newman, Nancy L Keim, Sridevi Krishnan, Karan Agrawal, Rebecca R Tryon, Lucas C Welch, William F Horn, John W Newman, Nancy L Keim
Abstract
Objective: To identify associations between circulating endocannabinoids and craving during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. This report is a secondary analysis of a trial registered in NCT01407692.
Methods: Seventeen premenopausal women were studied during the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle. Previously we had reported fasting plasma estradiol, progesterone, leptin associations with luteal phase cravings for carbohydrate, fat, sweet-rich foods, and eating behavior. Here, we measured fasting plasma endocannabinoids (ECs) endocannabinoid-like substances (ECLs), and postprandial metabolic responses to a mixed meal challenge. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate relationships between measured variables and cravings.
Results: Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and postprandial lipids were inversely associated with craving sweet-rich foods, while progesterone was positively associated (RMSEA = 0.041, χ2 p: 0.416 i.e. hypothetical and physiological models not different). OEA, progesterone and disinhibition were positively associated with craving carbohydrates (RMSEA: <0.001, χ2 p: 0.919). ECs and ECLs combined were stronger predictors of craving than clinical metabolic parameters, ECs only, satiety hormones or gonadocorticoids.
Conclusions: Our theoretical model suggests that ECs and ECLs influence craving. Since these metabolites can be modulated via dietary fat intake, they could be potential targets to alter menstrual cycle cravings.
Keywords: Endocannabinoids; Menstrual cycle craving; Oleoylethanolamide; Progesterone.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Figures
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Figure 3:
Follicular phase SEM path diagram,…
Figure 3:
Follicular phase SEM path diagram, depicting role of endocannabinoids ovarian and satiety hormones,…
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Follicular phase SEM path diagram,…
Figure 4:
Follicular phase SEM path diagram, depicting role of endocannabinoids, ovarian and satiety hormones,…
Figure 5:
A graphical representation of the…
Figure 5:
A graphical representation of the proposed hypothetical metabolic-neuroendocrine framework involved in craving behaviors…
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- Clinical Trial
- Observational Study
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Biomarkers / blood
- Craving / physiology*
- Eating / physiology*
- Eating / psychology*
- Endocannabinoids / blood
- Female
- Food
- Hormones / metabolism
- Humans
- Latent Class Analysis
- Menstrual Cycle / physiology*
- Menstrual Cycle / psychology*
- Middle Aged
- Models, Biological*
- Young Adult
- Biomarkers
- Endocannabinoids
- Hormones
- ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01407692
- Full Text Sources
- Other Literature Sources
- Medical
![Figure 3:](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/6251416/bin/nihms-1501948-f0003.jpg)
![Figure 4:](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/6251416/bin/nihms-1501948-f0004.jpg)
Figure 5:
A graphical representation of the…
Figure 5:
A graphical representation of the proposed hypothetical metabolic-neuroendocrine framework involved in craving behaviors…
![Figure 5:](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/6251416/bin/nihms-1501948-f0005.jpg)
Source: PubMed