Ghrelin reverses experimental diabetic neuropathy in mice

Journal Article · Fri Nov 20 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2009.08.171· OSTI ID:22199875

Kyoraku, Itaru; Shiomi, Kazutaka ^[1]; Kangawa, Kenji ^[2]; Nakazato, Masamitsu ^[1]

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1. Division of Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692 (Japan)
2. Department of Biochemistry, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka 565-8565 (Japan)

Ghrelin, an acylated peptide produced in the stomach, increases food intake and growth hormone secretion, suppresses inflammation and oxidative stress, and promotes cell survival and proliferation. We investigated the pharmacological potential of ghrelin in the treatment of polyneuropathy in uncontrolled streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice. Ghrelin or desacyl-ghrelin was administered daily for 4 weeks after STZ-induced diabetic polyneuropathy had developed. Ghrelin administration did not alter food intake, body weight gain, blood glucose levels, or plasma insulin levels when compared with mice given saline or desacyl-ghrelin administration. Ghrelin administration ameliorated reductions in motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities in diabetic mice and normalized their temperature sensation and plasma concentrations of 8-isoprostaglandin {alpha}, an oxidative stress marker. Desacyl-ghrelin failed to have any effect. Ghrelin administration in a mouse model of diabetes ameliorated polyneuropathy. Thus, ghrelin's effects represent a novel therapeutic paradigm for the treatment of this otherwise intractable disorder.

• OSTI ID: 22199875
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Name: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 389; ISSN BBRCA9; ISSN 0006-291X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BLOOD
CELL PROLIFERATION
FOOD
GLUCOSE
INFLAMMATION
INSULIN
INTAKE
MICE
OXIDATION
PEPTIDES
STH
STOMACH
STREPTOZOCIN
VELOCITY