Researchers at Kyoto University have found that rare sugars can activate metabolic signaling in mice, leading to reduced alcohol consumption. The study focused on the FGF21-oxytocin-dopamine system, which is known to regulate sugar appetite. While initially aiming to address sugar intake in lifestyle-related diseases, the researchers noted previous reports suggesting that the protein FGF21 may also play a role in regulating alcohol ingestion.
The team speculated that because alcohol is a fermented product of sugar, the body might recognize both substances similarly. Excessive alcohol consumption remains a significant global health concern, with limited effective treatments available. Many patients with alcohol dependence avoid pharmaceutical interventions due to low adherence and the loss of drinking pleasure.
"It was important that any intervention provide pleasure and act as a substitute for alcohol," said Sho Matsui, corresponding author of the study. "We imagined that some functional sugars may be able to fill that role."
To test their hypothesis, researchers developed a new protocol modeling alcoholism in mice and used various FGF21-inducing food ingredients to observe their effects on alcohol-related behavior. They found that while the FGF21-oxytocin-dopamine system acts as a signal for adequate alcohol intake, this mechanism was down-regulated in alcohol-dependent mice, resulting in excessive drinking. By stimulating this system with rare sugars—food ingredients known to induce FGF21—the team observed reduced alcohol consumption in both healthy and dependent mice.
These findings suggest that alcohol dependence could result not only from substance abuse but also from disrupted subconscious information processing mediated by FGF21 signaling within the central nervous system. Adjusting this metabolic pathway through dietary components may help regulate drinking behavior.
"Dietary therapy is effective in controlling appetite if you can stick to it, but most can't. The same applies to over-drinking," said Tsutomu Sasaki, team leader of the research group. "Our work demonstrates that there is a subconscious inter-organ crosstalk signal that regulates appetite for alcohol."
The next steps include confirming these results in humans and developing foods or beverages aimed at reducing alcohol consumption. Potential products could take the form of dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, or non-alcoholic drinks. The team is also working on creating an effective drug based on potent FGF21 induction.
