Abstract
Ghrelin, a 28 amino acids gastric peptide, is thought to be involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy metabolism. However, to date, little is known about the regulation of ghrelin secretion in pigs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether oral glucose administration influences the ghrelin secretion in pigs. Six crossbred (LW×D) castrated male pigs were assigned to four treatments in which the pigs were given an oral administration of glucose at one of doses of 0, 1, 2 and 4g/kgBW, in a change-over trial with four experimental periods. Blood samples were taken frequently over the following 2h. Oral glucose administration decreased plasma ghrelin in a dose-dependent manner, associated with an increase in plasma glucose and insulin. Strong inverse correlations were observed between plasma glucose and ghrelin (r=−0.69), as well as between insulin and ghrelin (r=−0.59). These results indicate that ghrelin secretion may be suppressed, at least in part, by an increased plasma glucose and/or insulin level in pigs.
