Postnatal changes in ghrelin mRNA expression and in ghrelin-producing cells in the rat stomach

• DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1740463
• Publication Date: 2004-12-02T23:42:13Z
• Authors: I Sakata; T Tanaka; M Matsubara; M Yamazaki; S Tani; Y Hayashi; K Kangawa; T Sakai
• Keywords: Northern blot; Enteroendocrine cell

Ghrelin was recently isolated from the rat stomach as an endogenous ligand for GH secretagogue receptor. Although it is well known that a large amount of ghrelin produced in gastrointestinal tract, developmental changes mRNA expression and differentiation ghrelin-immunopositive (ghrelin-ip) mRNA-expressing (ghrelin-ex) cells have not been elucidated. In this study, we therefore investigated levels numbers ghrelin-ip -ex stomachs 1- to 8-week-old male female rats by Northern blot analysis, immunohistochemistry situ hybridization. analysis showed level weak low postnatal period but then increased dimorphic pattern, i.e. transient stagnation at 4 weeks 5 rats. The number ghrelin-ex also after birth, more numerous were found than rats, finding confirmed analysis. Ghrelin-ip first appeared glandular base fundic gland they neck 3 age, suggesting distribution extended during postneonatal development period. This report on detailed stomach. sexual dimorphism cell suggest plays important physiological role