Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow.

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2019 May 07;: Authors: Drott CJ, Franzén P, Carlsson PO Abstract The peptide ghrelin is mainly produced in some of the epithelial cells in the stomach, but also, during starvation, by the ε-cells in the endocrine pancreas. Ghrelin, as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1α), exerts a variety of metabolic functions including stimulation of appetite and weight gain. Its complete role is not yet fully understood, including whether it has any vascular functions. The present study evaluated if ghrelin affects pancreatic and islet blood flow. Ghrelin and the GHS-R1α receptor antagonist GHRP-6 were injected intravenously in rats followed by blood flow measurements using a microsphere technique. Ghrelin decreased, while GHRP-6 in fasted, but not fed, rats selectively increased islet blood flow fourfold. GHS-R1α was identified not only on glucagon-producing cells, but also seemed to be present in the islet arterioles. GHRP-6 in fasted rats, only, also improved the peak insulin response to glucose in vivo, thereby substantially blunting the hyperglycemia. GHRP-6 doubled glucose stimulated insulin release in vitro of both islets obtained from fed and fasted rats. Our results indicate a novel role for endogenous ghrelin acting directly or indirectly as a local vasoconstrictor in the islets during fasting, thereby r...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism - Category: Physiology Authors: Tags: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research