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A role for ghrelin in the central regulation of feeding

Author

Listed:
  • Masamitsu Nakazato

    (Kiyotake)

  • Noboru Murakami

    (Department of Veterinary Physiology Miyazaki University)

  • Yukari Date

    (Kiyotake)

  • Masayasu Kojima

    (National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute)

  • Hisayuki Matsuo

    (National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute)

  • Kenji Kangawa

    (National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute)

  • Shigeru Matsukura

    (Kiyotake)

Abstract

Ghrelin is an acylated peptide that stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary1. Ghrelin-producing neurons are located in the hypothalamus, whereas ghrelin receptors are expressed in various regions of the brain2,3,4, which is indicative of central—and as yet undefined—physiological functions. Here we show that ghrelin is involved in the hypothalamic regulation of energy homeostasis. Intracerebroventricular injections of ghrelin strongly stimulated feeding in rats and increased body weight gain. Ghrelin also increased feeding in rats that are genetically deficient in growth hormone. Anti-ghrelin immunoglobulin G robustly suppressed feeding. After intracerebroventricular ghrelin administration, Fos protein, a marker of neuronal activation5, was found in regions of primary importance in the regulation of feeding, including neuropeptide Y6 (NPY) neurons and agouti-related protein7 (AGRP) neurons. Antibodies and antagonists of NPY and AGRP abolished ghrelin-induced feeding. Ghrelin augmented NPY gene expression and blocked leptin-induced8 feeding reduction, implying that there is a competitive interaction between ghrelin and leptin in feeding regulation. We conclude that ghrelin is a physiological mediator of feeding, and probably has a function in growth regulation by stimulating feeding and release of growth hormone.

Suggested Citation

  • Masamitsu Nakazato & Noboru Murakami & Yukari Date & Masayasu Kojima & Hisayuki Matsuo & Kenji Kangawa & Shigeru Matsukura, 2001. "A role for ghrelin in the central regulation of feeding," Nature, Nature, vol. 409(6817), pages 194-198, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:409:y:2001:i:6817:d:10.1038_35051587
    DOI: 10.1038/35051587
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    Cited by:

    1. Gökçen Demiray & Serkan Degirmenciogl & Erhan Ugurlu & Aydin Demiray & Arzu Yaren & Hakan Akc & Gamze Gököz Dogu, 2018. "Relationship between serum ghrelin levels, weight loss and quality of life in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer," International Journal of Cell Science & Molecular Biology, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 4(5), pages 99-104, July.

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