Immunohistochemical localization of ghrelin in rodent kidneys

Immunohistochemical localization of osteoblast activating peptide in the mouse kidney

Osteoblast activating peptide (OBAP) is a newly discovered peptide detected in the rat stomach, which has a major role in osteogenesis. Recently, we revealed its localization in the parietal cells of the rat stomach. There have been no data regarding OBAP expression in the kidney, despite its role in calcium reabsorption in renal tubules. The current study aimed to inspect the expression of OBAP in the kidney of twelve 10-week-old male C3H/HeNJc1 mice using immunohistochemistry, and immunoelectron microscopic localization. The immunohistochemical investigation revealed an OBAP positive reaction mainly in the medulla, which was stronger than the cortex of the kidney and was concentrated in the distal convoluted tubules (DCT), connecting tubules (CT), and the thick limbs of the loop of Henle (HL). Moreover, we clarified that the OBAP was co-distributed with ghrelin and calbindin (markers of the DCT). Interestingly, immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that OBAP was concentrated in the mitochondrial inner membrane of the DCT and CT. Based on these results, it was concluded that the mitochondria of the DCT, CT, and HL of the mice kidney generate OBAP. Furthermore, our results suggest that OBAP might have a role in the regulation of calcium reabsorption by the renal tubule; however, further investigations are required to clarify this potential role.

Ghrelin potentiates cardiac reactivity to stress by modulating sympathetic control and beta-adrenergic response

Prior evidence indicates that ghrelin is involved in the integration of cardiovascular functions and behavioral responses. Ghrelin actions are mediated by the growth hormone secretagogue receptor subtype 1a (GHS-R1a), which is expressed in peripheral tissues and central areas involved in the control of cardiovascular responses to stress.

AIMS

In the present study, we assessed the role of ghrelin - GHS-R1a axis in the cardiovascular reactivity to acute emotional stress in rats.

MAIN METHODS AND KEY FINDINGS

Ghrelin potentiated the tachycardia evoked by restraint and air jet stresses, which was reverted by GHS-R1a blockade. Evaluation of the autonomic balance revealed that the sympathetic branch modulates the ghrelin-evoked positive chronotropy. In isolated hearts, the perfusion with ghrelin potentiated the contractile responses caused by stimulation of the beta-adrenergic receptor, without altering the amplitude of the responses evoked by acetylcholine. Experiments in isolated cardiomyocytes revealed that ghrelin amplified the increases in calcium transient changes evoked by isoproterenol.

SIGNIFICANCE

Taken together, our results indicate that the Ghrelin-GHS-R1a axis potentiates the magnitude of stress-evoked tachycardia by modulating the autonomic nervous system and peripheral mechanisms, strongly relying on the activation of cardiac calcium transient and beta-adrenergic receptors.

Molecular Ghrelin System in the Pancreatic Acinar Cells: The Role of the Polypeptide, Caerulein and Sensory Nerves

Ghrelin (GHRL) is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Experimental studies showed that GHRL protects the stomach and pancreas against acute damage, but the effect of GHRL on pancreatic acinar cells was still undetermined. Aim: To investigate the effect of GHRL and caerulein on the functional ghrelin system in pancreatic acinar cells taking into account the role of sensory nerves (SN). Methods: Experiments were carried out on isolated pancreatic acinar cells and AR42J cells. Before acinar cells isolation, GHRL was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 50 µg/kg to rats with intact SN or with capsaicin deactivation of SN (CDSN). After isolation, pancreatic acinar cells were incubated in caerulein-free or caerulein containing solution. AR42J cells were incubated under basal conditions and stimulated with caerulein, GHRL or a combination of the above. Results: Incubation of isolated acinar cells with caerulein inhibited GHS-R and GHRL expression at the level of mRNA and protein in those cells. Either in rats with intact SN or with CDSN, administration of GHRL before isolation of acinar cells increased expression of GHRL and GHS-R in those cells and reversed the caerulein-induced reduction in expression of those parameters. Similar upregulation of GHS-R and GHRL was observed after administration of GHRL in AR42J cells. Conclusions: GHRL stimulates its own expression and expression of its receptor in isolated pancreatic acinar cells and AR42J cells on the positive feedback pathway. This mechanism seems to participate in the pancreatoprotective effect of GHRL in the course of acute pancreatitis.

Change in intrarenal Ghrelin expression in immune complex-mediated glomerular disease in dogs

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that is mainly produced by the stomach. The kidney is a major source of local ghrelin, and maintaining body fluid balance is considered a critical role of renal ghrelin. However, there are no reports on renal ghrelin in small animal medicine. The present study investigated the intrarenal localization of and change in ghrelin expression in dogs with immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis (ICGN). Ghrelin immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in the distal tubules of normal kidneys. Ghrelin IR was weak in ICGN kidneys, and the quantitative ghrelin IR score was significantly lower in ICGN kidneys than in normal kidneys. In cases of ICGN, plasma creatinine concentrations showed a positive correlation with the ghrelin IR score.

Effect of enalapril maleate on ghrelin levels in metabolic syndrome in rats

We have explored how enalapril affects ghrelin levels in serum and renal tissues of rats with fructose-induced MetS, using 5-week-old Wistar albino male rats weighing 220 ± 20 g. They divided into 5 groups: (i) control (CT), no fructose supplement fed on standard rat pellet and tap water for 60 days, (ii) metabolic syndrome (MetS) fed with 10% fructose for 60 days, (iii) rats after metabolic syndrome developed treated with enalapril over 30 days (MetS+E30), (iv) rats in which only enalapril was administered for 60 days (E60), and (v) MetS-treated with enalapril for 60 days (MetS+E60). Enalapril maleate was given at 20mg/kg per day by gavage. Fasting serum insulin, uric acid, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher, and the amount of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and acylated and desacyl ghrelin levels was significantly lower in the MetS groups. Ghrelins were significantly lower in all 3 groups, which were administered enalapril than that of MetS and the control group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the density of ghrelin was parallel to the serum levels of the peptide. Ghrelin immunoreactivity in the kidneys was of moderate density in the distal and collecting tubules, mild density in the proximal tubule and glomeruli, whereas the density decreased in the MetS group and other enalapril-treated groups. In conclusion, ghrelin levels in MetS groups were significantly lower than control group, and thus Enalapril treatment improves components of MetS and has direct effects on serum ghrelin levels that are independent of MetS.

Unexpected effect of the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin on ENaC: hunger for sodium?

The orexigenic hormone ghrelin acts like a hunger signal, released by the stomach in response to nutritional status. However, ghrelin and its receptor in the kidney may play other biological roles. Kemp and colleagues identify that ghrelin stimulates renal Na+ absorption through cAMP-dependent trafficking of ENaC in the cortical collecting duct. While ghrelin seems to be a physiological regulator of ENaC, future studies are necessary to clarify its physiological and pathological roles in sodium homeostasis.

Ghrelin induces cell migration through GHSR1a-mediated PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO signaling pathway in endothelial progenitor cells

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of ghrelin on circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) directional migration and its underlying molecular mechanisms involved in this process.

MATERIALS/METHODS

EPC were isolated from bone marrow of SD rats by using Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and characterized by double positive for acLDL-Dil uptake and FITC-UEA-1 binding and immunocytochemistry for CD34, CD133, vWF and Flk-1. EPC were treated with different concentrations of ghrelin (10(-9)~10(-6)M) with or without GHSR1a inhibitor [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6, PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor L-NAME, migration of EPC was detected by transwell assay, levels of phosphorylated and total Akt and eNOS were determined by Western-blot analysis and Nitric Oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess assay, respectively.

RESULTS

EPC were successfully obtained by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and ghrelin at 10(-8)M~10(-7)M promoted EPC migration. Ghrelin-induced EPC migration was accompanied by phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS, as well as an increase in NO production. These biochemical events and EPC directional migration induced by ghrelin were completely inhibited by GHSR-1a blocker [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 attenuated ghrelin-induced EPC migration, phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS, and NO production. eNOS inhibitor L-NAME blocked ghrelin-induced EPC migration, phosphorylation of eNOS, and NO production, but had no effect on Akt phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that ghrelin stimulates EPC directional migration via GHSR1a-mediated PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO signal pathway. It indicates that ghrelin may be used as a therapeutic strategy to treat ischemic diseases by promoting EPC directional migration.

Ghrelin stimulates angiogenesis via GHSR1a-dependent MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways in rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), is thought to exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, specifically by promoting vascular endothelial cell function such as cell proliferation, migration, survival and angiogenesis. However, the effect of ghrelin on angiogenesis and the corresponding mechanisms have not yet been extensively studied in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) isolated from left ventricular myocardium of adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In our study, we found that ghrelin and GHSR are constitutively expressed in CMECs. Ghrelin significantly increases CMECs proliferation, migration, and in vitro angiogenesis. The ghrelin-induced angiogenic process was accompanied by phosphorylation of ERK and Akt. MEK inhibitor PD98059 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of ERK, but had no effect on Akt phosphorylation. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of Akt, but had no effect on ERK phosphorylation. Ghrelin-induced angiogenesis was partially blocked by treatment with PD98059 or LY294002. In addition, this angiogenic effect was almost completely inhibited by PD98059+LY294002. Pretreatment with GHSR1a blocker [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of ERK, Akt and in vitro angiogenesis. In conclusion, this is the first demonstration that ghrelin stimulates CMECs angiogenesis through GHSR1a-mediated MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways, indicating that two pathways are required for full angiogenic activity of ghrelin. This study suggests that ghrelin may play an important role in myocardial angiogenesis.

Intrarenal ghrelin infusion stimulates distal nephron-dependent sodium reabsorption in normal rats

Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide hormone that exerts powerful orexigenic effects. Ghrelin receptor expression has been reported in the kidney, but the role of ghrelin in the kidney is unknown. The present studies confirmed ghrelin receptor mRNA expression in the kidneys of normal Sprague Dawley rats (n=6) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the 588-bp PCR product. To test intrarenal ghrelin action, uninephrectomized rats received 3 cumulative 1-hour renal interstitial (RI) infusions of 5% dextrose in water (vehicle, n=21), ghrelin (n=10), ghrelin plus specific ghrelin receptor antagonist [D-Lys-3]-GHRP-6 (n=24), or [D-Lys-3]-GHRP-6 alone (n=32). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), urine sodium excretion rate (U(Na)V), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), fractional excretion of sodium (FE(Na)), and fractional excretion of lithium (FE(Li)) were calculated for each period. RI ghrelin infusion significantly decreased U(Na)V to 86 ± 4.9% (P<0.05), 74 ± 6.5% (P<0.01), and 62 ± 10% (P<0.01) of baseline during periods 1 to 3, respectively. Ghrelin also significantly decreased FE(Na) to 68 ± 11% (P<0.05), 57 ± 8.6% (P<0.001), and 59 ± 12% (P<0.01) of baseline, without changing GFR or FE(Li). Identical ghrelin infusions in the presence of [D-Lys-3]-GHRP-6 failed to permit reductions in U(Na)V or FE(Na). Following [D-Lys-3]-GHRP-6 infusion alone, U(Na)V increased from 0.06 ± 0.01 to 0.18 ± 0.03 μmol/min (P<0.0001). Concomitant increases in FE(Na) were also observed (0.23 ± 0.03% to 0.51 ± 0.06% [P<0.001]), without changes in MAP, GFR, or FE(Li). Together, these data introduce a novel intrarenal ghrelin-ghrelin receptor system, which, on activation, significantly increases Na(+) reabsorption at the level of the distal nephron.

Determination of ghrelin immunoreactivity in kidney tissues of diabetic rats

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS

Ghrelin, a recently discovered hormone, is released largely from stomach and might affect insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical localization of ghrelin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat kidneys.

METHODS

Fifty-four adult male Wistar rats were used in this study. All rats were divided into nine groups according to three time points of the study (2, 4, and 6 weeks) as control group, control group given 0.1 M phosphate-citrate, and diabetic group given 50 mg/kg streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The rats in all groups were decapitated at the end of 2, 4, and 6 weeks of the study. The kidneys of the rats were removed, and tissue samples were processed by using routine paraffin techniques. The samples were immunohistochemically stained using avidin-biotin-peroxidase method for ghrelin immunoreactivity.

RESULTS

There were no differences of ghrelin immunoreactivity between the control groups. Ghrelin immunoreactivity was observed in both distal tubulus and collecting ducts in the diabetic groups, while it was detected only in distal tubules of the control groups. The intensity of ghrelin immunoreactivity was increased at 4 and 6 weeks of the study in the diabetic groups.

CONCLUSION

Increased ghrelin immunoreactivity in the diabetic rat kidney tissues suggests that ghrelin may contribute to the pathophysiological mechanism of diabetic nephropathy.

Ghrelin and obestatin levels in end-stage renal disease

Malnutrition is fairly common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, persistent lack of appetite being a major symptom. Ghrelin and obestatin are two hormones that are involved in appetite and energy homeostasis. The present study examined ghrelin and obestatin levels in 24 ESRD patients undergoing haemodialysis and 24 age-matched healthy controls. Serum and saliva ghrelin and obestatin levels in the ESRD patients were significantly higher compared with controls, while saliva ghrelin and obestatin levels in all study participants were significantly higher than serum levels. Saliva ghrelin correlated with serum ghrelin and saliva obestatin correlated with serum obestatin in all study participants, although there was no correlation between ghrelin and obestatin levels. In conclusion, the results suggest that the kidneys may have a role in the metabolism and/or clearance of obestatin, as they do for ghrelin. Further studies are needed to determine if elevated levels of these hormones in ESRD patients contribute to the malnutrition that is common in these patients.

Ghrelin in pathological conditions

The recently identified gastric hormone ghrelin was initially described as a natural Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor ligand. Apart from ghrelin's first discovered action, which was the stimulation of Growth Hormone release, implications for many other functions have been reported. It seems that ghrelin exhibits an important role in conditions related to processes regulating nutrition, body composition and growth, as well as heart, liver, thyroid or kidney dysfunction. In this review, current available knowledge about ghrelin's role in various pathological conditions is presented.

Recent progress in histochemistry

The progress in discerning the structure and function of cells and tissues in health and disease has been achieved to a large extent by the continued development of new reagents for histochemistry, the improvement of existing techniques and new imaging techniques. This review will highlight some advancements made in these fields.

Ghrelin stimulates angiogenesis in human microvascular endothelial cells: Implications beyond GH release

Ghrelin, a peptide hormone isolated from the stomach, releases growth hormone and stimulates appetite. Ghrelin is also expressed in pancreas, kidneys, cardiovascular system and in endothelial cells. The precise role of ghrelin in endothelial cell functions remains unknown. We examined the expression of ghrelin and its receptor (GHSR1) mRNAs and proteins in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) and determined whether ghrelin affects in these cells proliferation, migration and in vitro angiogenesis; and whether MAPK/ERK2 signaling is important for the latter action. We found that ghrelin and GHSR1 are constitutively expressed in HMVEC. Treatment of HMVEC with exogenous ghrelin significantly increased in these cells proliferation, migration, in vitro angiogenesis and ERK2 phosphorylation. MEK/ERK2 inhibitor, PD 98059 abolished ghrelin-induced in vitro angiogenesis. This is the first demonstration that ghrelin and its receptor are expressed in human microvascular endothelial cells and that ghrelin stimulates HMVEC proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis through activation of ERK2 signaling.

The histochemistry and cell biology vade mecum: a review of 2005–2006

The procurement of new knowledge and understanding in the ever expanding discipline of cell biology continues to advance at a breakneck pace. The progress in discerning the physiology of cells and tissues in health and disease has been driven to a large extent by the continued development of new probes and imaging techniques. The recent introduction of semi-conductor quantum dots as stable, specific markers for both fluorescence light microscopy and electron microscopy, as well as a virtual treasure-trove of new fluorescent proteins, has in conjunction with newly introduced spectral imaging systems, opened vistas into the seemingly unlimited possibilities for experimental design. Although it oftentimes proves difficult to predict what the future will hold with respect to advances in disciplines such as cell biology and histochemistry, it is facile to look back on what has already occurred. In this spirit, this review will highlight some advancements made in these areas in the past 2 years.