Negative feedback regulation of alcohol ingestion through the FGF21-PVH oxytocin-VTA dopamine system

S Sho Matsui (Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University) Y Yuma Takahashi (Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University) S Shuhei Morioka (Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University) T Takaaki Ozawa (Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University) S Sachiho Kanayama (Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University) H Hiroki Iwama (Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University) L Lan Geng (State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University) K Kazuhiro Umemoto (Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University) Y Yasuo Oguri (Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University) S Satoshi Tsuzuki (Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University) Y Yulong Li T Takatoshi Hikida (Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University) T Tsutomu Sasaki (Metabolic Signal Research Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University)

Abstract

Alcohol has a notable negative impact on global health. Understanding its physiological regulation is crucial to addressing alcohol use. Here, we show that FGF21-oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH OXT )-dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA DA ) negatively regulate the drive to drink alcohol. Alcohol induces FGF21 signaling, which activates PVH OXT and induces oxytocin release in the VTA. The VTA DA neurons are activated hours after alcohol ingestion, which reduces the drive to drink alcohol, extends the interdrink interval, and thereby reduces alcohol consumption. The system is downregulated in a mouse model of alcohol dependence, and activating the system with FGF21-inducing sugars reduces alcohol ingestion and prevents binge drinking and alcohol dependence. Therefore, FGF21-inducing nutraceuticals can substitute for alcohol by supplementing the FGF21-PVH OXT -VTA DA negative feedback signal to attenuate alcohol-related behaviors in mice.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 3
Published January 20, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (13)

S

Sho Matsui

Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

Y

Yuma Takahashi

Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

S

Shuhei Morioka

Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

T

Takaaki Ozawa

Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University

S

Sachiho Kanayama

Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

H

Hiroki Iwama

Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

L

Lan Geng

State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University

K

Kazuhiro Umemoto

Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University

Y

Yasuo Oguri

Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

S

Satoshi Tsuzuki

Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

Y

Yulong Li

T

Takatoshi Hikida

Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University

T

Tsutomu Sasaki

Metabolic Signal Research Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University