顺铂化疗对下丘脑、血浆ghrelin和orexin 表达的影响

目的:观察顺铂化疗对下丘脑、血浆ghrelin、orexin表达和摄食量的影响。方法:Real-time PCR、ELISA法观察顺铂对大鼠下丘脑、血浆ghrelin、orexin表达及摄食量的影响;19名接受顺铂经导管动脉灌注化疗(TAI)的肝细胞患者(HCC),ELISA法检测化疗前和化疗后血浆ghrelin、orexin的变化,用直观类比标度(VAS)(0-10)评估食欲和摄食量。结果:每日腹腔注射顺铂6 mg/kg,1-5 d大鼠摄食量均显著减少(P0.05),且1-4 d血浆酰化ghrelin显著降低(P0.05),5d时浓度仍低于对照组,但无统计学意义。血浆非酰化ghrelin和总的血浆ghrelin没有明显变化(P0.05),而1-5天血浆orexin水平均明显降低(P0.05);顺铂注射1 d后,大鼠下丘脑ghreilin和orexin的mRNA表达量均显著减少(P0.05),ghrelin mRNA变化持续3 d,orexin mRNA在化疗后5 d仍低于对照组(P0.05);肝细胞癌患者化疗后1至8 d的摄食量明显降低,1 d和2 d时的血浆酰化ghrelin显著低于化疗前水平(P0.05)。3 d时逐渐恢复,化疗后3 d、4 d和7 d时血浆酰化ghrelin浓度与化疗前无统计学差异(P0.05)。血浆非酰化ghrelin和总的血浆ghrelin没有明显变化(P0.05);化疗后1~4 d时血浆orexin浓度均显著降低(P0.05),化疗后7 d时orexin基本恢复到化疗前水平(P0.05)。结论:顺铂可降低大鼠下丘脑和血浆ghrelin、orexin的mRNA表达,HCC的TAI会降低血浆酰化ghrelin、orexin、和摄食量。     

DVC orexin-A通过调控ghrelin受体信号通路改善顺铂所致大鼠胃功能紊乱

目的:探讨迷走神经复合体(Dorsal vagal complex,DVC)内orexin-A对顺铂所致胃功能紊乱的影响及可能机制。方法:随机选取30只大鼠并将其分为3组(n=10):对照组(NS组);24 h顺铂治疗组;48 h顺铂治疗组。24 h顺铂治疗组和48 h顺铂治疗组大鼠分别在腹腔注射顺铂后24 h和48 h处死大鼠,对照组大鼠腹腔注射生理盐水(Normal saline,NS)。采用定量实时PCR检测各组大鼠下丘脑orexin-A mRNA的表达,ELISA测量大鼠脑脊液中P物质水平;DVC内微量注射orexin-A和ghrelin受体拮抗剂后,检测大鼠食物和高岭土的摄入量。结果:顺铂可显著减少大鼠下丘脑orexin-A mRNA表达,增加其脑脊液内P物质的浓度。外源性orexin-A可改善顺铂引起的厌食症和异食癖。orexin-A以上的效应可被DVC内预先注射ghrelin受体拮抗剂部分逆转。结论:orexin-A可能通过ghrelin神经肽系统改善顺铂在化疗过程中诱导的胃功能紊乱。     

阿勒泰羊不同繁殖状态下丘脑Kiss1基因表达规律与其季节性繁殖的关联性分析

为了研究Kiss1基因在阿勒泰羊中的组织表达情况,及其在不同发情状态阿勒泰羊下丘脑中表达量的变化,本研究探讨其在阿勒泰羊季节性发情调控中的作用机理。本研究以季节性发情的阿勒泰羊为研究对象,首先使用半定量RT-PCR对发情盛期阿勒泰羊下丘脑、垂体、卵巢、心肌等10个组织中Kiss1基因的表达情况进行了检测,并使用q RT-PCR技术对发情前期、发情盛期、发情末期和间情期状态阿勒泰羊下丘脑中Kiss1基因的表达变化进行研究。结果表明,Kiss1基因在发情盛期阿勒泰羊的下丘脑中高表达,在垂体、卵巢和甲状腺中表达量相对较低,在心、肝、脾、肺、肾和肌肉中不表达。Kiss1基因在乏情期(夏至日前后)阿勒泰羊下丘脑中的表达量很低,至发情前期下丘脑中Kiss1基因的表达量迅速上升,并达到峰值,极显著高于乏情期和间情期(p0.01)。发情启动后,下丘脑中Kiss1基因的表达量逐渐下降,其中发情盛期和发情末期的表达量之间差异不显著(p0.05),但是显著高于间情期(p0.05),极显著高于乏情期(p0.01),间情期的表达量又显著高于乏情期(p0.05)。以上数据提示Kiss1基因可能主要在诱导阿勒泰羊发情启动阶段发挥重要作用。     

逍遥散对慢性束缚应激模型大鼠相关脑区CRF基因表达的影响

目的:观察慢性束缚应激大鼠相关脑区CRF mRNA(下丘脑、垂体、海马、皮层)含量变化以及逍遥散对其影响.方法:用RT-PCR和图像分析方法测定相关脑区CRF mRNA含量变化.结果:应激组较正常对照组在下丘脑CRF-1基因表达下调(P<0.01).在下丘脑逍遥散组较应激组CRF-1基因表达显著下调(P<0.01),CRF-2基因表达显著上调(P<0.01);在海马区逍遥散组CRF-2基因表达较模型组上调(P<0.05);在皮层逍遥散组CRF-1基因表达较应激组则显著上调(P<0.01).结论:逍遥散组对慢性束缚应激中枢神经肽CRF的调节位点在下丘脑、垂体、海马和皮层,充分证实逍遥散的调节靶点与下丘脑、边缘系统及皮层中枢有关.     

日粮能量水平对五指山猪初情期性腺轴KISS-1/GPR54 mRNA水平表达影响

本研究采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测不同日粮能量水平对五指山猪初情期性腺轴Kiss-1、GPR54基因mRNA水平表达的影响。结果显示,在NRC和0.7 NRC两组实验猪的下丘脑、垂体、卵巢组织中均检测到Kiss-1、GPR54基因mRNA水平的表达;NRC组在下丘脑和卵巢kiss-1 mRNA表达量显著高于0.7NRC组(p0.05),在垂体中的表达差异不显著(p0.05);日粮能量水平对初情期性腺轴GPR54 mRNA表达差异不显著(p0.05)。说明KISS-1/GPR54系统对动物初情表达的调节作用可能是通过调节下丘脑KISS-1基因的表达来实现。结果表明kiss-1 mRNA的表达规律在NRC组和0.7NRC组间保持一致,表达量依次为:下丘脑垂体卵巢;GPR54 mRNA的表达规律在NRC组和0.7NRC组间也保持一致,表达量依次为:卵巢垂体下丘脑,表明不同日粮水平的摄入并不影响Kiss-1、GPR54基因在各个组织中的表达规律。     

长短日照下绍鸭性成熟时间,下丘脑GnRH-Ⅰ、POMC和NPY mRNA表达的差异

利用长日照和短日照环境调控绍鸭的性成熟时间,并采用反转录多聚酶链式反应（RT．PCR）方法,检测两种日照组（n=6）鸭性成熟过程中下丘脑促性腺激素释放激素-Ⅰ（GnRH-Ⅰ）、阿片促黑激素皮质素原（POMC）和神经肽Y（NPY） mRNA表达的发育性变化及日龄间差异。结果表明,长日照组性成熟时间较短日照组提前30d。RT-PCR结果显示,两组鸭下丘脑GnRH-Ⅰ mRNA的发育性表达模式相似,从出雏至性成熟过程中,其表达水平呈逐渐增加趋势;长日照组下丘脑GnRH．ImRNA表达丰度均高于同日龄短日照组,并于120日龄时其差异达显著水平。两组POMC mRNA的表达丰度呈现先增加后降低趋势,于性成熟前后显著下降;日照长度对其基因表达具有显著影响。两组NPYmRNA表达水平分别于60和90日龄时显著升高,于性成熟时显著下降,但光照对其基因表达无显著影响。下丘脑GnRH-Ⅰ基因表达的显著上调可能是禽类性成熟启动的关键因素,也是长日照条件下绍鸭性早熟的主要原因;GnRH-Ⅰ表达的上调与下丘脑POMC和NPY mRNA表达变化有关。     

长短日照下绍鸭性成熟时间,下丘脑GnRH-I、POMC和NPY mRNA表达的差异

利用长日照和短日照环境调控绍鸭的性成熟时间,并采用反转录多聚酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法, 检测两种日照组(n=6)鸭性成熟过程中下丘脑促性腺激素释放激素-Ⅰ(GnRH-Ⅰ)、阿片促黑激素皮质素 原(POMC)和神经肽Y(NPY)mRNA表达的发育性变化及日龄间差异。结果表明,长日照组性成熟时间较短 日照组提前30d。RT-PCR结果显示,两组鸭下丘脑GnRH-Ⅰ mRNA的发育性表达模式相似,从出雏至性成熟 过程中,其表达水平呈逐渐增加趋势;长日照组下丘脑GnRH-Ⅰ mRNA表达丰度均高于同日龄短日照组,并于 120日龄时其差异达显著水平。两组POMC mRNA的表达丰度呈现先增加后降低趋势,于性成熟前后显著下降; 日照长度对其基因表达具有显著影响。两组NPY mRNA表达水平分别于60和90日龄时显著升高,于性成熟时 显著下降,但光照对其基因表达无显著影响。下丘脑GnRH-Ⅰ基因表达的显著上调可能是禽类性成熟启动的关 键因素,也是长日照条件下绍鸭性早熟的主要原因;GnRH-Ⅰ表达的上调与下丘脑POMC和NPY mRNA表达变 化有关。     

大鼠延髓背侧迷走复合体注射ghrelin激活弓状核神经肽Y/刺鼠色蛋白相关蛋白神经元而诱发多食(英文)

Ghrelin是生长素促分泌受体的内源性配体,刺激摄食并增加体重。已有研究证实ghrelin刺激摄食的作用靶点主要是下丘脑弓状核(hypothalamic arcuate nucleus,ARC)内的神经肽Y(neuropeptide Y,NPY)/刺鼠色蛋白相关蛋白(agouti-related peptide,AgRP)神经元。除下丘脑外,脑干尾部迷走复合体具有ghrelin受体,是ghrelin调控摄食活动的另一靶点。本实验旨在验证ghrelin作用于脑干尾部所诱发的摄食增加是否需要下丘脑NPY/AgRP神经元参与。在大鼠延髓背侧迷走复合体(dorsal vagalcomplex,DVC)微量注射20pmol的ghrelin,用摄食自动分析仪测量大鼠的摄食反应,用荧光定量PCR技术测定ARC的NPY/AgRP mRNA的表达水平,同时利用免疫组化技术测定ARC的NPY阳性神经元数量及光密度。结果显示,与对照组(DVC微量注射生理盐水)相比,ghrelin微注射组大鼠摄食量增加,其累积摄食量在注射后2h达最高峰;ARC处NPY/AgRP mRNA的表达水平、NPY免疫阳性神经元的数量及光密度也明显增加,且均在ghrelin注射后2h增高达到高峰。以上结果提示,大鼠DVC注射ghrelin可能通过上行纤维激活弓状核NPY/AgRP神经元,介导大鼠的多食反应。     

小梅山猪Ghrelin基因的克隆及其在生殖轴的表达

以小梅山母猪为试验材料,通过RT-PCR、克隆及荧光定量,研究Ghrelin在其生长发育不同阶段生殖轴表达情况,旨在探究Ghrelin对动物繁殖性能的影响。结果表明,初生、初情期至性成熟卵巢Ghrelin mRNA表达量呈上升趋势,不同阶段间差异显著(P<0.05)。性成熟时生殖轴不同组织Ghrelin mRNA表达量,卵巢明显高于垂体和下丘脑(P<0.05),而垂体与下丘脑间差异则不显著(P>0.05)。     

沙眼衣原体感染后妊娠大鼠子宫组织C3 和Crry mRNA的表达变化

目的通过大鼠生殖道沙眼衣原体(Chlamydia trachomatis,CT)感染模型研究CT初次感染后妊娠大鼠在胚胎着床期子宫局部补体C3和补体调节蛋白Crry的mRNA表达量的变化。方法选择成年雌性SD大鼠36只,随机均分为正常组和感染组,感染组通过阴道接种CT D型株。而后在妊娠大鼠的胚胎植入期(即妊娠第5、6、7d)分别处死大鼠,取子宫组织计数胚胎植入数,通过逆转录扩增(RT-PCR)方法半定量检测在胚胎植入期C3和Crry的mRNA的表达量的变化,并通过SPSS软件对数据差异显著性进行分析。结果1.感染组在植入期C3的mRNA比正常组高表达,差异有显著性(P<0.001);2.Crry的mRNA虽比正常组表达有所增加,但两组数据无显著性差异(P>0.05);3.感染组较正常组平均胚胎植入数下降(P<0.01),并且感染组C3mRNA的表达量与对应的胚胎植入数存在显著的负相关(r=(0.638,P<0.05)。结论大鼠生殖道感染CT后,妊娠大鼠胚胎植入数降低,而这种变化很可能与子宫局部补体C3的高表达及过量的补体活化有关。     

Expression of ghrelin in the porcine hypothalamo-pituitary-ovary axis during the estrous cycle

Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid acylated peptide produced mainly by the stomach, has various functions. Recent studies focus on its endocrine and/or paracrine effects in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, that is, the role in reproduction. Previous data have shown that variation of ghrelin depended on the phases of estrous cycle in adult rat ovary. This study was to investigate the expression of ghrelin in the cyclic porcine hypothalamo-pituitary-ovary axis and stomach by semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method. Twenty virginal gilts were classified into four groups as the proestrus, estrus, diestrus1 and diestrus2. Results showed that expression of ghrelin mRNA in the hypothalamus changed with the estrous cycle, i.e., with the highest level in the proestrus and the lowest in the estrus. In the pituitary, the pattern of ghrelin mRNA expression during estrous cycle markedly decreased in the estrus and diestrus1. In the ovary, ghrelin mRNA exhibited with the highest level in the diestrus2 and the lowest in the proestrus, which was different from those in the hypothalamus and pituitary. In the stomach, the expression of ghrelin mRNA had the same tendency as that of the porcine ovary. In immunohistochemical experiment, ghrelin immunoreactive cells were predominantly located in the luteal compartment and growing follicles in the luteal phase of ovary. However, only few ghrelin immunoreactive cells were found in the proestrus ovary. In gastric mucosa, ghrelin immunoreactive cells were detected in the estrus, diestrus1 and diestrus2, but few ghrelin positive cells were seen in the proestrus. Results suggest that ghrelin may play a major role in the endocrine network that integrates energy balance and reproduction.     

Hypothalamic gene expression following ghrelin therapy to gastrectomized rodents

We investigated whether ghrelin depletion (by gastrectomy surgery) and/or treatment/replacement with the gastric hormone ghrelin alters the expression of key hypothalamic genes involved in energy balance, in a manner consistent with ghrelin's pro-obesity effects. At 2 weeks after surgery mice were treated with ghrelin (12 nmol/mouse/day, sc) or vehicle for 8 weeks. Gastrectomy had little effect on the expression of these genes, with the exception of NPY mRNA in the arcuate nucleus that was increased. Ghrelin treatment (to gastrectomized and sham mice) increased the mRNA expression of orexigenic peptides NPY and AgRP while decreasing mRNA expression of the anorexigenic peptide POMC. Two weeks gavage treatment with the ghrelin mimetic, MK-0677, to rats increased NPY and POMC mRNA in the arcuate nucleus and MCH mRNA in the lateral hypothalamus. Thus, while predicted pro-obesity ghrelin signalling pathways were activated by ghrelin and ghrelin mimetics, these were largely unaffected by gastrectomy.     

Inhibition of estrus and corpora lutea function with Norgestomet

Forty-five nonpregnant, nonlactating, Angus and Brangus cows were utilized to determine how long a Norgestomet ear implant would inhibit estrus when administered at various stages of an estrous cycle. All cows completed a nontreated estrous cycle to ensure normal cyclicity. At the second observed estrus (estrus = Day 1), cows were randomly allotted to be treated at metestrus (Day 3 or Day 4, n = 15); at diestrus (Day 9 or Day 10, n = 14); or at proestrus (Day 15 or Day 16, n = 16). All cows received a 2-ml intramuscular injection of 3 mg of Norgestomet accompanied by a 6-mg Norgestomet ear implant, which remained in situ for 21 days, or until individual cows were observed in estrus. Estrus was inhibited for a mean (+/- SEM) of 18.7 +/- 0.7, 19.9 +/- 0.8, and 17.0 +/- 0.8 days, respectively, when cows were treated at metestrus, diestrus, and proestrus (metestrus and diestrus vs proestrus; P < 0.05). Estrus was inhibited for an entire 21-day implantation period in 27, 50, and 38% of cows treated at metestrus, diestrus, and proestrus, respectively (P > 0.10). Norgestomet inhibited estrus in all cows for 11, 17, and 11 days after implantation when treatment was initiated at metestrus, diestrus, and proestrus, respectively (P > 0.10). These data indicate that a 6-mg Norgestomet ear implant effectively inhibits estrus in all cows for a maximum of 11 days, with some cows exhibiting estrus by Day 12 with the Norgestomet implant in situ.     

Microelectrophoretic investigation of RNA base composition in the nerve cells of the N. supraopticus in the albino rat at different stages of the estrous cycle

Female rats of the Wistar strain were killed by decapitation in the stages of estrus and diestrus. RNA content was measured, and its base composition was determined by the microelectrophoresis method of Edström in neurosecretory cells of N. supraopticus of the hypothalamus. Cells were isolated from Carnoy-fixed tissue. Each sample consisted of 10–15 isolated cells. Significant differences between the average RNA content per nerve cell in estrus and diestrus were not observed (in estrus it was equal to 70.3±5.52 and in diestrus 88.4±9.14 picograms per cell). The adenine/uracil ratio was higher in diestrous stage than in estrus (1.35±0.16 and 0.88±0.05).     

Gender-related differences in myocardial inflammatory and contractile responses to major burn trauma

Gender-related differences in immune responses to hemorrhage and sepsis have been described. However, most trauma studies continue to limit experimental models to males to avoid the variable responses associated with hormonal fluctuation in proestrus/estrus females. In the present study, male and female (either diestrus or proestrus/estrus) Sprague-Dawley rats (250-325 g) were given a third-degree scald burn over 40% total body surface area and fluid resuscitated (4 ml/kg per %burn of lactated Ringer solution); sham burn males and diestrus as well as sham burn proestrus/estrus female rats were included to provide controls. Twenty-four hours postburn, hearts were either perfused to examine mechanical function (Langendorff, n = 8 to 9 hearts/group) or to prepare cardiomyocytes (collagenase digestion, n = 4 to 5 hearts/group). Left ventricular developed pressure and the positive and negative first derivative of left ventricular pressure responses to increases in preload were significantly lower in burned males compared with responses measured in either burned proestrus/estrus or burned diestrus females; burn trauma increased cardiomyocyte secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and nitric oxide to a lesser extent in proestrus/estrus females than levels secreted by either diestrus females or males. Similarly, myocytes from proestrus/estrus females accumulated significantly less sodium/calcium compared with values measured in males (P < 0.05). Our data confirm gender-related differences in myocardial function and myocardial inflammatory responses to burn injury.     

Food restriction,ghrelin, its antagonist and obestatin control expression of ghrelin and its receptor in chicken hypothalamus and ovary

The purpose of the present study was to identify the role of age, nutritional state and some metabolic hormones in control of avian hypothalamic and ovarian ghrelin/ghrelin receptor system. We examined the effect of food restriction, administration of ghrelin 1–18, ghrelin antagonistic analogue (D-Lys-3)-GHRP-6, obestatin and combinations of them on the expression of ghrelin and ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) in hypothalamus and ovary of old (23 months of age) and young (7 months of age) chickens. Expression of mRNAs for ghrelin and GHS-R1a in both hypothalamus and largest ovarian follicle was measured by RT-PCR. It was observed that food restriction could promote the expression of ghrelin and GHS-R1a in hypothalamus and ovary of the old chickens, but in the young chickens it reduced expression of ghrelin and did not affect expression of GHS-R1a in the ovary. Administration of ghrelin 1–18 did not affect hypothalamic or ovarian ghrelin mRNA, but significantly increased the expression of GHS-R1a in hypothalamus, but not in ovary. (D-Lys-3)-GHRP-6, significantly stimulated accumulation of ghrelin, but not GHS-R1a mRNA in hypothalamus or ghrelin or GHS-R1a in the ovary. Ghrelin 1–18 and (D-Lys-3)-GHRP-6, when given together, were able either to prevent or to induce effect of these hormones. Obestatin administration increased expression of ghrelin gene in the hypothalamus, but not expression of hypothalamic GHS-R1a, ovarian ghrelin and GHS-R1a. Furthermore, obestatin was able to modify effect of both ghrelin and fasting on hypothalamic and ovarian mRNA for ghrelin GHS-R1a. Our results (1) confirm the existence of ghrelin and its functional receptors GHS-R1a in the chicken hypothalamus and ovary (2) confirm the age-dependent control of ovarian ghrelin by feeding, (3) demonstrate, that nutritional status can influence the expression of both ghrelin and GHS-R1a in hypothalamus and in the ovary (3) demonstrates for the first time, that ghrelin can promote generation of its functional receptor in the hypothalamus, but not in the ovary, (4) show that ghrelin1–18 and (D-Lys-3)-GHRP-6 could not only be antagonists in the action on chicken hypothalamus and ovaries, but also independent regulators and even agonists, and (5) provide first evidence for action of obestatin on hypothalamic ghrelin and on the response of hypothalamic and ovarian ghrelin/GHS-R1a system to food restriction. These data indicate the involvement of both hypothalamic and ovarian ghrelin/GHS-R1 systems in mediating the effects of nutritional status, ghrelin and obestatin on reproductive processes.     

Sex-associated differences in the leptin and ghrelin systems related with the induction of hyperphagia under high-fat diet exposure in rats

Leptin and ghrelin are known to be main hormones involved in the control of food intake, with opposing effects. Here we have explored whether changes in the leptin and ghrelin system are involved in the long-term effects of high-fat (HF) diet feeding in rats and whether sex-associated differences exist. Male and female Wistar rats were fed until the age of 6 months with a normal-fat (NF) or an HF-diet. Food intake and body weight were followed. Gastric and serum levels of leptin and ghrelin, and mRNA levels of leptin (in stomach and adipose tissue), ghrelin (in stomach), and NPY, POMC, and leptin and ghrelin receptors (OB-Rb and GHS-R) (in the hypothalamus) were measured. In both males and females, total caloric intake and body weight were greater under the HF-diet feeding. In females, circulating ghrelin levels and leptin mRNA expression in the stomach were higher under HF-diet. HF-diet feeding also resulted in higher hypothalamic NPY/POMC mRNA levels, more marked in females, and in lower OB-Rb mRNA levels, more marked in males. In addition, in females, serum ghrelin levels correlated positively with hypothalamic NPY mRNA levels, and these with caloric intake. In males, hypothalamic OB-Rb mRNA levels correlated positively with POMC mRNA levels and these correlated negatively with caloric intake and with body weight. These data reflect differences between sexes in the effects of HF-diet feeding on food intake control systems, suggesting an impairment of the anorexigenic leptin-POMC system in males and an over-stimulation of the orexigenic ghrelin-NPY system in females.     

Impaired ghrelin signaling is associated with gastrointestinal dysmotility in rats with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is often associated with decreased upper gastrointestinal motility, and ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone known to increase gastrointestinal motility. We investigated whether ghrelin signaling is impaired in rats with GERD and studied its involvement in upper gastrointestinal motility. GERD was induced surgically in Wistar rats. Rats were injected intravenously with ghrelin (3 nmol/rat), after which gastric emptying, food intake, gastroduodenal motility, and growth hormone (GH) release were investigated. Furthermore, plasma ghrelin levels and the expression of ghrelin-related genes in the stomach and hypothalamus were examined. In addition, we administered ghrelin to GERD rats treated with rikkunshito, a Kampo medicine, and examined its effects on gastroduodenal motility. GERD rats showed a considerable decrease in gastric emptying, food intake, and antral motility. Ghrelin administration significantly increased gastric emptying, food intake, and antral and duodenal motility in sham-operated rats, but not in GERD rats. The effect of ghrelin on GH release was also attenuated in GERD rats, which had significantly increased plasma ghrelin levels and expression of orexigenic neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide mRNA in the hypothalamus. The number of ghrelin-positive cells in the gastric body decreased in GERD rats, but the expression of gastric preproghrelin and GH secretagogue receptor mRNA was not affected. However, when ghrelin was exogenously administered to GERD rats treated with rikkunshito, a significant increase in antral motility was observed. These results suggest that gastrointestinal dysmotility is associated with impaired ghrelin signaling in GERD rats and that rikkunshito restores gastrointestinal motility by improving the ghrelin response.