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Third Division (Y.D., M.S.M., S.M., M.N.), Department of Internal Medicine, and Second Department of Anatomy (A.S., T.S.), Miyazaki Medical College, Miyazaki 889-1692; and National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute (M.K., H.H., K.K.), Osaka 565-8565, Japan
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Masamitsu Nakazato, M.D., Ph.D., Third Department of Internal Medicine, Miyazaki Medical College, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan. E-mail: nakazato{at}post.miyazaki-med.ac.jp
Ghrelin, a novel GH-releasing acylated peptide, was recently isolated from rat stomach. It stimulated the release of GH from the anterior pituitary through the GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Ghrelin messenger RNA and the peptide are present in rat stomach, but its cellular source has yet to be determined. Using two different antibodies against the N- and C-terminal regions of rat ghrelin, we identified ghrelin-producing cells in the gastrointestinal tracts of rats and humans by light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry. Ghrelin-immunoreactive cells, which are not enterochromaffin-like cells, D cells, or enterochromaffin cells, accounted for about 20% of the endocrine cell population in rat and human oxyntic glands. Rat ghrelin was present in round, compact, electron-dense granules compatible with those of X/A-like cells whose hormonal product and physiological functions have not previously been clarified. The localization, population, and ultrastructural features of ghrelin-producing cells (Gr cells) indicate that they are X/A-like cells. Ghrelin also was found in enteric endocrine cells of rats and humans. Using two RIAs for the N- and C-terminal regions of ghrelin, we determined its content in the rat gastrointestinal tract. Rat ghrelin was present from the stomach to the colon, with the highest content being in the gastric fundus. Messenger RNAs of ghrelin and GHS-R also were found in these organs. Ghrelin probably functions not only in the control of GH secretion, but also in the regulation of diverse processes of the digestive system. Our findings provide clues to additional, as yet undefined, physiological functions of this novel gastrointestinal hormone.
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K. P. Kinzig, K. A. Scott, J. Hyun, S. Bi, and T. H. Moran Lateral ventricular ghrelin and fourth ventricular ghrelin induce similar increases in food intake and patterns of hypothalamic gene expression Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, June 1, 2006; 290(6): R1565 - R1569. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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W. Wei, X. Qi, J. Reed, J. Ceci, H.-Q. Wang, G. Wang, E. W. Englander, and G. H. Greeley Jr. Effect of chronic hyperghrelinemia on ingestive action of ghrelin Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, March 1, 2006; 290(3): R803 - R808. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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K. J. Pulman, W. M. Fry, G. T. Cottrell, and A. V. Ferguson The Subfornical Organ: A Central Target for Circulating Feeding Signals J. Neurosci., February 15, 2006; 26(7): 2022 - 2030. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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S. C. Griffen, K. Oostema, K. L. Stanhope, J. Graham, D. M. Styne, N. Glaser, D. E. Cummings, M. H. Connors, and P. J. Havel Administration of Lispro Insulin with Meals Improves Glycemic Control, Increases Circulating Leptin, and Suppresses Ghrelin, Compared with Regular/NPH Insulin in Female Patients with Type 1 Diabetes J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2006; 91(2): 485 - 491. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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W. A. M. Blom, A. Lluch, S. Vinoy, A. Stafleu, R. van den Berg, J. J. Holst, F. J. Kok, and H. F. J. Hendriks Effects of gastric emptying on the postprandial ghrelin response Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, February 1, 2006; 290(2): E389 - E395. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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A. Doi, T. Shono, M. Nishi, H. Furuta, H. Sasaki, and K. Nanjo IA-2beta, but not IA-2, is induced by ghrelin and inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion PNAS, January 24, 2006; 103(4): 885 - 890. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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M S Mondal, H Yamaguchi, Y Date, K Toshinai, T Kawagoe, T Tsuruta, H Kageyama, Y Kawamura, S Shioda, Y Shimomura, et al. Neuropeptide W is present in antral G cells of rat, mouse, and human stomach J. Endocrinol., January 1, 2006; 188(1): 49 - 57. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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D. L. Drazen, T. P. Vahl, D. A. D'Alessio, R. J. Seeley, and S. C. Woods Effects of a Fixed Meal Pattern on Ghrelin Secretion: Evidence for a Learned Response Independent of Nutrient Status Endocrinology, January 1, 2006; 147(1): 23 - 30. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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J. Iqbal, Y. Kurose, B. Canny, and I. J. Clarke Effects of Central Infusion of Ghrelin on Food Intake and Plasma Levels of Growth Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Prolactin, and Cortisol Secretion in Sheep Endocrinology, January 1, 2006; 147(1): 510 - 519. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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A. P. Davenport, T. I. Bonner, S. M. Foord, A. J. Harmar, R. R. Neubig, J.-P. Pin, M. Spedding, M. Kojima, and K. Kangawa International Union of Pharmacology. LVI. Ghrelin Receptor Nomenclature, Distribution, and Function Pharmacol. Rev., December 1, 2005; 57(4): 541 - 546. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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X.-B. Xu, J.-J. Pang, J.-M. Cao, C. Ni, R.-K. Xu, X.-Z. Peng, X.-X. Yu, S. Guo, M.-C. Chen, and C. Chen GH-releasing peptides improve cardiac dysfunction and cachexia and suppress stress-related hormones and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats with heart failure Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, October 1, 2005; 289(4): H1643 - H1651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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N Govoni, R De Iasio, C Cocco, A Parmeggiani, G Galeati, U Pagotto, C Brancia, M Spinaci, C Tamanini, R Pasquali, et al. Gastric immunolocalization and plasma profiles of acyl-ghrelin in fasted and fasted-refed prepuberal gilts J. Endocrinol., September 1, 2005; 186(3): 505 - 513. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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P. Zizzari, H. Halem, J. Taylor, J. Z. Dong, R. Datta, M. D. Culler, J. Epelbaum, and M. T. Bluet-Pajot Endogenous Ghrelin Regulates Episodic Growth Hormone (GH) Secretion by Amplifying GH Pulse Amplitude: Evidence from Antagonism of the GH Secretagogue-R1a Receptor Endocrinology, September 1, 2005; 146(9): 3836 - 3842. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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Y. Date, K. Toshinai, S. Koda, M. Miyazato, T. Shimbara, T. Tsuruta, A. Niijima, K. Kangawa, and M. Nakazato Peripheral Interaction of Ghrelin with Cholecystokinin on Feeding Regulation Endocrinology, August 1, 2005; 146(8): 3518 - 3525. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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D. Panidis, D. Farmakiotis, G. Koliakos, D. Rousso, A. Kourtis, I. Katsikis, C. Asteriadis, V. Karayannis, and E. Diamanti-Kandarakis Comparative study of plasma ghrelin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, in hyperandrogenic women and in normal controls Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2005; 20(8): 2127 - 2132. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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P. J. Currie, A. Mirza, R. Fuld, D. Park, and J. R. Vasselli Ghrelin is an orexigenic and metabolic signaling peptide in the arcuate and paraventricular nuclei Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2005; 289(2): R353 - R358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |