The impact of physical activity on palatability-driven feeding : exploring sex differences and opioid mechanisms in the nucleus accumbens
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Obesity and sedentary lifestyles pose significant public health challenges, particularly in developed countries like the United States. This dissertation investigates the sex-dependent effects of physical activity on palatability-driven feeding behaviors and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, specifically focusing on the role of the nucleus accumbens (Acb). Using a preclinical model with male and female rats, the research explores the impact of voluntary wheel running (RUN) versus sedentary locked wheel (SED) conditions on the consumption of a high-fat diet and standard chow. This dissertation employed a within-subject reversal design (RUN [greater than] SED [greater than] RUN) to assess the temporal sensitivity of these interactions. Key findings demonstrate that RUN and SED conditions influence high fat diet consumption in opposite directions for males and females, with males decreasing and females increasing their high fat intake during RUN condition when compared to the in SED condition. Also, sex-dependent changes in opioid- and dopamine-related gene expression in the Acb were observed to parallel behavioral effects, suggesting a neurobiological basis for the interaction. This dissertation also examines the influence of RUN versus SED conditions on intra-accumbens DAMGO-mediated feeding, revealing that physical activity heightens sensitivity to opioid-driven consumption of high fat in males. The research highlights the complex interplay between physical activity, feeding behavior, and reward-related neurobiological processes, underscoring the need for further investigation into sex differences and the potential for physical activity as an intervention for maladaptive feeding behaviors. By advancing our understanding of these interactions, this work contributes to the development of targeted strategies to address obesity and its associated health risks.
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Ph. D.