ROLE OF GHRELIN IN THE REGULATION OF GASTRIC ACID SECRETION IN NORMAL AND EXPERIMENTAL DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Aim: To clarify the role of ghrelin in the regulation of gastric acid secretion in both normal and
experimental diabetic rats. Material and Methods: A total number of 140 adult male albino rats were
included in this study. All animals were fed the same type of food to avoid the effect of diet on the
experiments.. They had free access to water and kept at room temperature. The animals were divided
into two main groups: Group A (Normal rats) , Group B (Streptozotocin –induced diabetic rats) . Each
group was subdivided into four subgroups : Subgroup 1 : control group : injected with saline 0.5 ml
i.v. in the tail vein ,Subgroup 2 : injected with Ghrelin 20.g /Kg i.v. ,Subgroup 3 : injected with
Ghrelin 20.g /Kg i.v. + L-NAME 70 mg /Kg s.c.,Subgroup 4 : injected with L-NAME 70 mg /Kg
,Gastric secretions were collected and gastric secretion volume , both free and total acidity, pH were
measured.
Results: The study reported that ghrelin significantly enhanced the secretion of both gastric acid and
mucus in both normal and diabetic rats, and these effects inhibited by the nitric oxide synthase
inhibitor, L_NAME. Also, there was a significant reduction in gastric acid secretion in STZ – induced
diabetic rats in comparison with that in normal rats.
Conclusions: Ghrelin plays a stimulatory role on gastric acid secretion and mucus secretion in
both normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME
blocks this effect. So, this role is performed via nitric oxide as a mediator.
Key words: Gastric secretion, Ghrelin and Diabetes.