Ghrelin and the differential regulation of des-acyl (DSG) and oct-anoyl ghrelin (OTG) in human adipose tissue (AT)

• Published in: Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) 2009-03, Vol.70 (3), p.383-389
• Main Authors: Kos, K., Harte, A. L., O'Hare, P. J., Kumar, S., McTernan, P. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipocytes - cytology; Adipocytes - drug effects; Adipocytes - metabolism; Adult; Arginine - analogs & derivatives; Arginine - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Body Mass Index; Cells, Cultured; Endocrinopathies; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Ghrelin - metabolism; Ghrelin - pharmacology; Humans; Leptin - metabolism; Lipogenesis - drug effects; Lipogenesis - physiology; Lipolysis - drug effects; Lipolysis - physiology; Lipoprotein Lipase - metabolism; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Receptors, Neuropeptide Y - antagonists & inhibitors; Subcutaneous Fat - cytology; Subcutaneous Fat - drug effects; Subcutaneous Fat - metabolism; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0300-0664; 1365-2265
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03321.x

Summary Objectives  Ghrelin, an important central acting orexigenic hormone, is predominantly secreted in the gastrointestinal tract. However little is known about the action of ghrelin in human adipose tissue (AT). Aim  To study the expression of ghrelin in AT, the effects of octanoyl–(OTG) and des‐acyl (DSG) ghrelin on lipolysis and lipogenesis, leptin release and potential peripheral signalling through the Y1 receptor. Methods  Ex vivo human AT was obtained from women undergoing elective surgery (46 (mean ± SD) 6·8 years, body mass index (BMI): 25·6 ± 5·0 kg/m2, n = 20). Abdominal‐subcutaneous (AbdSc) adipocytes were isolated and treated with recombinant human (rh) OTG and DSG to assess lipid metabolism leptin release and the influence of Y1‐receptor blocker. Results  Ghrelin was expressed in AbdScAT and negatively correlated with BMI (lean: 3·6 ± 0·74 optical‐density‐units (OD), obese: 1·64 ± 0·45OD, *P