Korean J Anat.  2003 Jun;36(3):167-173.

In situ hybridization Study on the Age-related Changes of Ghrelin mRNA Expression in Rat Stomach

• Cho MH
• Lee SH
• Kim NH
• Sohn HJ
• Park J
• Hwang SJ
• Kim MS
• Park KH

Abstract

Ghrelin is a recently identified member of growth hormone secretagogue, which is synthesized as peptide of 28 amino acids in stomach, pituitary and intestines. Ghrelin controls food intake, and induces gastric acid secretion. It has been reported that synthesis and secretion of ghrelin changes according to age of animals. In this study, in situ hybridization technique with digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probe is applied to elucidate the developmental change of ghrelin mRNA expression pattern in rat stomach. Ghrelin mRNA positive cells first appeared in stomach of 9 day rats, mainly in base of gastric glands. It showed the highest density and spread to neck area of the gastric gland in 6 week rats. Number of positive cells decreased significantly in 18 months. Most of ghrelin mRNA positive cells were found as closed-type endocrine cells in fundus area. These results suggest that ghrelin expression may be involved in development and ageing process.

Keyword

Ghrelin; Stomach; Rat; mRNA; In situ hybridization

MeSH Terms

Amino Acids
Animals
Eating
Endocrine Cells
Gastric Acid
Gastric Mucosa
Ghrelin*
Growth Hormone
In Situ Hybridization*
Intestines
Neck
Rats*
RNA, Messenger*
Stomach*
Amino Acids
Ghrelin
Growth Hormone
RNA, Messenger