Dietary protein restriction diminishes sucrose reward and reduces sucrose-evoked mesolimbic dopamine signaling.

Objective: A growing literature suggests manipulating dietary protein status decreases sweet consumption in rodents and in humans. Underlying neurocircuit mechanisms have not yet been determined, but previous work points towards hedonic rather than homeostatic pathways. Here we hypothesized that a history of protein restriction reduces sucrose seeking by altering mesolimbic dopamine signaling.

Methods: We tested this hypothesis using established behavioral tests of palatability and motivation, including the 'palatability contrast' and conditioned place preference (CPP) tests. We used modern optical sensors for measuring real-time nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine dynamics during sucrose consumption, via fiber photometry, in male C57/Bl6J mice maintained on low-protein high-carbohydrate (LPHC) or control (CON) diet for ∼5 weeks.

Results: A history of protein restriction decreased the consumption of a sucrose 'dessert' in sated mice by ∼50% compared to controls [T-test, p< 0.05]. The dopamine release in NAc during sucrose consumption was reduced, also by ∼50%, in LPHC-fed mice compared to CON [T-test, p< 0.01]. Furthermore, LPHC-feeding blocked the sucrose-conditioned place preference we observed in CON-fed mice [paired T-test, p< 0.05], indicating reduced motivation. This was accompanied by a 33% decrease in neuronal activation of the NAc core, as measured by c-Fos immunolabeling from brains collected directly after the CPP test.

Conclusions: Despite ongoing efforts to promote healthier dietary habits, adherence to recommendations aimed at reducing the intake of added sugars and processed sweets remains challenging. This study highlights chronic dietary protein restriction as a nutritional intervention that suppresses the motivation for sucrose intake, via blunted sucrose-evoke dopamine release in NAc.