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Ghrelin contributes to protection of hepatocellular injury induced by ischaemia/reperfusion
Author(s) -
Qin Yan,
Li Ziru,
Wang Zhigang,
Li Yin,
Zhao Jing,
Mulholland Michael,
Zhang Weizhen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.12286
Subject(s) - ghrelin , endocrinology , medicine , cytoprotection , reperfusion injury , lactate dehydrogenase , tunel assay , liver injury , receptor , ischemia , ampk , oxidative stress , chemistry , protein kinase a , kinase , enzyme , immunohistochemistry , biochemistry
Background & Aims Ghrelin, a gut hormone with pleiotropic effects, may act as a protective signal in parenchymal cells. We investigated the protective effects of ghrelin on hepatocytes after ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R). Methods Hepatic injury was assessed by measurement of plasma alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) and lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ), histological analysis, and TUNEL assay. Effects of exogenous ghrelin and ghrelin receptor gene deletion on I/R induced injury of liver were evaluated. Results Ischaemia/reperfusion induced a profound injury to hepatocytes. This was accompanied by elevations in plasma ALT and LDH . Pretreatment with ghrelin significantly reduced elevations in plasma ALT and LDH , and attenuated tissue damage induced by hepatic I/R in mice. Hepatic injury induced by I/R was more pronounced in ghrelin receptor gene null mice. Ghrelin administration blocked the up‐regulation of AMP ‐activated protein kinase ( AMPK ) activity induced by hepatic I/R. Conclusions This study demonstrates that ghrelin contributes to the cytoprotection during hepatic I/R.