EFFECT OF GHRELIN ON ERYTHROPOIETIC INDICATORS IN MYELOSUPPRESSED RATS

Abstract

Background: Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid acylated peptide released from the enteroendocrine cells of stomach. Aim of the study was to find out the possible beneficial role of ghrelin in erythropoiesis of myelosuppressed rats and its possible mediator. Methods: This randomized control trial was carried out at the Department of Physiology Foundation University Medical College in collaboration with the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from February 2013 to June 2014. A total of 130 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I was treated with ghrelin only (1 nmol/100µl), group II received intraperitoneal carboplatin and 5-flurouracil (5-FU) only while group III received chemotherapy with rat ghrelin. Group IV received growth hormone releasing hormone antagonist in addition to chemotherapy and ghrelin. Erythrocyte count, haemoglobin, reticulocytes count and serum growth hormone levels were measured on day 7 and 14. Results: The erythrocyte count, haemoglobin and reticulocytes count showed a drop on day 14 in group II, III and IV. This fall was significantly less in group III as compared to group II and IV. The serum growth hormone levels in group III were significantly higher as compared to group IV (p<0.05). Conclusions: In myelosuppressed rats treated with rat ghrelin, the reduction in erythrocyte count, haemoglobin and reticulocyte count was less as compared to myelosuppressed rats suggesting valuable role of ghrelin in stimulating erythropoiesis. While decreased erythrocyte count and growth hormone level in group treated with chemotherapy, ghrelin and GHRH antagonist suggest growth hormone as possible mediator of ghrelin in erythropoiesis.

Pak J Physiol 2016;12(3):13–5