Objective and design

Ghrelin has a key role in modulating energy metabolism and weight gain. The present study aimed at studying the potential role of ghrelin in the development and/or exacerbation of organ damage in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity.

Objective and design

Adult mice were fed one of two diets for 20 weeks: standard high carbohydrate (HC) or high-fat high-sugar (HFHS). Starting week 17, the animals were given regular intraperitoneal ghrelin (160 µg/kg) or saline injections Abdominal fat, serum creatinine, and glucose levels, as well as kidney, liver and heart weight and pathology were assessed.

Results

Ghrelin-injected mice showed significant organ damage, which was more exacerbated in HFHS-fed animals. While the HFHS diet was associated with significant liver damage, ghrelin administration did not reverse it. Interestingly, ghrelin administration induced moderate kidney damage and significantly affected the heart by increasing perivascular and myocardium fibrosis, steatosis as well as inflammation. Moreover, serum creatinine levels were higher in the animal group injected with ghrelin.

Conclusion

Ghrelin administration was associated with increased functional and structural organ damage, regardless of diet. The present study provides novel evidence of multi-organ physiologic alterations secondary to ghrelin administration.

中文翻译：

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Ghrelin 诱导的致肥胖饮食小鼠的多器官损伤。

目标和设计

Ghrelin 在调节能量代谢和体重增加方面具有关键作用。本研究旨在研究生长素释放肽在饮食诱导肥胖小鼠模型中器官损伤的发展和/或恶化中的潜在作用。

目标和设计

成年小鼠被喂食两种饮食中的一种，持续 20 周：标准高碳水化合物 (HC) 或高脂肪高糖 (HFHS)。从第 17 周开始，对动物进行定期腹膜内生长素释放肽 (160 µg/kg) 或盐水注射。评估腹部脂肪、血清肌酐和葡萄糖水平，以及肾脏、肝脏和心脏的重量和病理。

结果

注射 Ghrelin 的小鼠显示出显着的器官损伤，而在喂食 HFHS 的动物中这种损伤更为严重。虽然 HFHS 饮食与严重的肝损伤有关，但服用生长素释放肽并没有逆转它。有趣的是，ghrelin 给药引起中度肾损伤，并通过增加血管周围和心肌纤维化、脂肪变性和炎症显着影响心脏。此外，注射生长素释放肽的动物组的血清肌酐水平更高。

结论

无论饮食如何，Ghrelin 给药都与功能和结构器官损伤增加有关。本研究提供了继发于生长素释放肽的多器官生理改变的新证据。