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Ghrelin enhances the regenerative potential of stem cells
Author(s) -
Fahim Mohamed A,
Karam Sherif,
AlRamadi Basel
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.1008.5
Subject(s) - ghrelin , stem cell , haematopoiesis , bone marrow , bone marrow stem cell , medicine , apoptosis , endocrinology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , hormone , biochemistry
Little is known about the mechanisms involved in the regenerative potential of stem cells following damage. Ghrelin is a peptide that promotes growth hormone secretion and in the thymus, inhibits apoptosis and increase cell proliferation. Presently we examine the influence of ghrelin on the regenerative potential of stem cells in bone marrow and gut. Cell degeneration was induced in mice by 2 doses of doxorubicin (10 and 6 mg/kg, iv). Some treated mice received continuous infusion of ghrelin (1.25 μg/hr) by using an implanted osmotic pump. To label dividing stem cells, all mice received a single ip injection of BrdU two hours before sacrifice. Blood was collected for differential cell counts and the gut was processed for histology and immunohistochemistryg using anti‐BrdU antibody. The results showed that the numbers of WBCs, RBCs and platelets were substantially reduced by 3 days after administration of chemotherapy and began to recover by day 10. These findings tend to occur in parallel with the dramatic damage and recovery in mucosal gut. In ghrelin‐treated mice, a dramatic recovery in blood cell counts and gut damage was evident as early as day 3. Immunohistochemistry depicted an increase in the number of BrdU‐labeled cells in response to damage, which upon recovery were reduced, suggesting that ghrelin enhances the regenerative potential of stem cells in both the bone marrow and gut.