Journal of Bioequivalence & Bioavailability

Ghrelin antagonist: Advantages and side-effects

International Conference and Exhibition on Biowaivers & Biosimilars

September 10-12, 2012 Hilton San Antonio Airport, USA

Maria Vlasova

Accepted Abstracts: J Bioequiv Availab

Abstract:

Gastric peptide ghrelin and GHS-R may be promising therapeutic targets for obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Ghrelin, a 28 aa growth-hormone-releasing peptide, has been shown to increase food intake and decrease arterial pressure in animals and in humans. Recently, a ghrelin antagonist (GhA), [D-Lys-3]-GHRP-6, was demonstrated to decrease food intake in mice, but its cardiovascular actions have not been described. In the present study, the effects of the GhA on cardiovascular parameters in conscious rats were investigated and the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system evaluated. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) measurements were assessed by radiotelemetry. GhA was administered in doses of 2, 4 and 6 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.). MAP as well as HR was dose-dependently elevated after sc application of GhA. Sympathetic blockade of α-adrenoreceptors with phentolamine (3 mg/kg, s.c.) and simultaneous antagonismof β1-adrenoreceptorswith atenolol (10mg/kg, s.c.) abolished the increase inMAP and HR induced by GhA (4 mg/ kg, s.c.). Administration of phentolamine alone inhibited the increase of MAP, but not HR; atenolol alone abolished the elevation of both MAP and HR evoked by GhA. These results suggest that the peripheral injection of ghrelin antagonist increases arterial pressure and heart rate, at least in part, through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Therefore, the use of the ghrelin antagonist system as a therapeutic target for reduction in food intake might lead to serious side effects like elevated blood pressure in humans mostly already having an elevated blood pressure as part of their metabolic syndrome

Biography :

Maria Vlasova has completed her Ph.D at the age of 25 years from M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University and postdoctoral studies from Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology in Moscow. At the moment she is leading a project of Finnish-Russian Collaboration in School of Pharmacy in University of Eastern Finland. She has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals and serving as a reviewer of repute