Agouti-Related Peptide, Neuropeptide Y, and Somatostatin-Producing Neurons Are Targets for Ghrelin Actions in the Rat Hypothalamus

• DOI: 10.1210/en.2002-220795
• Publication Date: 2003-01-21T21:24:46Z
• Authors: Luisa M. Seoane; Miguel López; Sulay Tovar; Felipe F. Casanueva; Rosa Señarís; Carlos Diéguez
• Keywords: Secretagogue; Melanin-concentrating hormone

Ghrelin, the endogenous ligand of GH secretagogue receptor, acts at central level to elicit release and regulate food intake. To elucidate neural circuit that exerts its effects, we measured expression hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in weight regulation secretion after ghrelin administration. Adult male rats, fed or fasted for 72 h, were treated centrally (intracerebroventicularly) with a single dose (5 micro g). After 2, 4, 6 8 agouti-related peptide, melanin-concentrating hormone, neuropeptide Y, prepro-orexin, GHRH, somatostatin mRNA levels by situ hybridization. We found increased peptide Y arcuate nucleus hypothalamus rats. In contrast, no change was demonstrated other studied any time evaluated. Finally, examined effect on GHRH GH-deficient (dwarf) Our results show increases these This study furthers our understanding molecular basis mechanisms intake secretion.