Ghrelin accelerates the healing of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers in rats

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundPrevious studies have shown that administration of ghrelin exhibits protective and therapeutic effects in the gut. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the influence of ghrelin administration on the course of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers, as well as effects on mucosal production of oxygen free radicals and duodenal antioxidant defense.Material/MethodsDuodenal ulcers were induced in male Wistar rats by cysteamine administered intragastrically at the dose of 200 mg/kg in 1 ml of saline, 3 times at 4-h intervals. Starting 24 h after the first dose of cysteamine, rats were treated intraperitoneally twice a day with saline or ghrelin given at the dose of 4, 8 or 16 nmol/kg/dose. Seven days after administration of the first dose of cysteamine, the study was terminated.ResultsInduction of ulcers by cysteamine was accompanied by a reduction in duodenal blood flow, mucosal DNA synthesis and mucosal activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD); whereas mucosal concentration of interleukin-1β and malonyldialdehyde (MDA – an index of lipid peroxidation) were increased. Treatment with ghrelin increased healing rate of duodenal ulcers and enhanced duodenal blood flow, mucosal DNA synthesis and mucosal activity of SOD, and reduced mucosal concentration of interleukin-1β and MDA.ConclusionsTreatment with ghrelin increases the healing rate of duodenal ulcers and this effect is related, at least in part, to improvement of duodenal mucosal blood flow, mucosal cell proliferation and antioxidant defense, as well as being related to reduction in mucosal oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Ghrelin inhibits sodium metabisulfite induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat gastric mucosa

“…demonstrated that ghrelin prevents lipid peroxida tion and decrease of antioxidant enzyme activities against pentylenetetrazole induced oxidative stress in erythrocyte s, liver and brain in rats . Moreover, several studies showed that, ghrelin significantly increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as GP x , SOD and CAT and decreases the concentr ation of malondialdehyd e, a product of lipid peroxidation (Kheradm and et al, 2009;Warzecha et al, 2012 ). In consistency with the literature, we also determined the antioxidant property of ghrelin via TAS and TOS levels.…”

“…Ghrelin has been proposed as an antioxidant agent recently in several studies (Kheradm and et al, 2009;Warzecha et al, 2012 ). Obay at al.…”

Essential Role of Growth Hormone and IGF-1 in Therapeutic Effect of Ghrelin in the Course of Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis

“…The area of colonic mucosa damage was measured using the computerized planimeter (Morphomat, Carl Zeiss, Berlin, Germany), as described previously [27,69]. …”

Ghrelin and gastrointestinal wound healing. A new perspective for colorectal surgery

“…In animal models, ghrelin administration has promoted acceleration on the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers by releasing endogenous GH and IGF-1 and leading an increasing of mucosa blood flow and local cell proliferation rate 57 . Warzecha et al 58 also have demonstrated an improvement of healing process in cisteamine-induced duodenal ulcers assessing reduction of mucosal OS and inflammatory response and reduction of mucosal OS and inflammatory response Ercan et al 59 have reported decrease of apoptosis and OS in sodium metabisulfite induced gastric injury, suggesting that ghrelin treatment attenuates gastric injuries and could improve approaches against gastric mucosal injury.…”