Abstract:

Background: There is a link between aging and gastric diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ghrelin on gastric morphology in ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Under ketamine-chlorpromazine anesthesia (100 mg/kg, 0.75 mg/kg), Sprague-Dawley rats (n=12) underwent bilateral ovariectomy, while control group (G1) had sham-surgery (n=6). Four weeks after surgery, half of ovariectomized rats (G3) were treated intraperitoneally with ghrelin (1 mg/kg/week) for 4 weeks, while others (G2) were not treated. Rats were euthanized by cardiac puncture at the end of 8th weeks, and serum levels of estradiol were measured. Gastric tissue was analyzed with light and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Increased body weights in ovariectomized (G2 and G3) rats (p<0.001) recorded at the end of 2 months was not changed with ghrelin. In ovariectomized groups (G2 and G3) serum estradiol levels were reduced (p<0.05) verifying altered gonadal hormone status. Apical mucus cells and gastric pits were observed in regular morphology in sham group while vascular dilatation and degeneration was observed in ovariectomized rats (G2 and G3), whereas in the ghrelin group (G3) it was generally observed similar to sham group (G1). Conclusion: In conclusion, mild dyslipidemia and hepatic degeneration in early post-menopausal period appear to be attenuated by ghrelin treatment, and it is required further investigations. Key words: Ghrelin, Inflammation, Postmenopause, Gastric mucosa