Effect of exogenous ghrelin on body weight and hematocrit of male adult rats in chronic Hypoxia

authors:

avatar Mohammad Reza Alipour 1 , avatar Hadi Feizi 2 , * , avatar Gisou Mohaddes 1 , avatar Rana Keyhanmanesh 1 , avatar Saeed Khamnei 1 , avatar Khalil Ansarin 1 , avatar Hadi Ebrahimi 1

Tuberculosis and Lung Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, IR Iran
Department of Physiology, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, hfeizyk@gmail.com, IR Iran
International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism: Vol.8, issue 4; 201-205
article type: Original Article
received: September 12, 2010
accepted: January 1, 2011

how to cite: Alipour M, Feizi H, Mohaddes G, Keyhanmanesh R, Khamnei S, et al. Effect of exogenous ghrelin on body weight and hematocrit of male adult rats in chronic Hypoxia. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2010;8(4): 201-205. 

Abstract

Background: Ghrelin is a peptide predominantly produced by the stomach. Recent studies have shown its protective roles and plasma alterations during hypoxia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of an exogenous administration of ghrelin on body weight and blood hematocrit during chronic hypoxia.

Materials and Methods: Twenty four adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 groups. Hypoxic rats with saline or ghrelin treatment were placed in a normobaric hypoxic chamber for 2 weeks. Controls remained in room air. Weight gain, hematocrit, and plasma ghrelin were measured.

Results: The rats showed significant (P < 0.05) weight loss in the hypoxic groups, and administration of ghrelin in hypoxic rats could prevent further weight loss. Interestingly, hypoxic animals that were treated with ghrelin were significantly more polycythemic than the controls and even the hypoxic rats treated with saline (P < 0.001). Plasma ghrelin significantly increased in the hypoxic animals at the end of the second week (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: It seems that exogenous administration of ghrelin may be useful in modulating metabolism in high-altitude situations and that polycythemia induced by ghrelin, to some extent, might be a beneficial compensation during hypoxia. However, more investigation is needed to confirm the beneficial effects of ghrelin to establish this peptide’s status as a therapeutic agent.

  • Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
    The fact that ghrelin might be a benifical compensation during hypoxia is of importance for modulation of metabolism in high -altitude situations. Thus the study can open new windows to establish this peptide’s status as a therapeutic agent.
  • Please cite this paper as:
    Alipour MR, Feizi H, Mohaddes G, Keyhanmanesh R, Khamnei S, Ansarin K, et al. Effect of exogenous ghrelin on body weight and hematocrit of male adult rats in chronic Hypoxia. Int J Endocriol Metab. 2010; 8(4):201-5.

c 2010 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.

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