Ghrelin role in the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase, an enzyme involved in hypertension

CORRADI G; PERELLO M; CERNIELLO FM; GIRONACCI MM; LONGO CARBAJOSA NA; CORNEJO MP

Mendoza

Congreso; XXIV Congreso Argentino de Hipertensión Arterial; 2017

Ghrelin, a hormone produced mainly in stomach upon specific stimuli, is involved in several metabolic and cardiovascular processes. Emerging evidence shows that ghrelin exhibits protective effects on the development of atherosclerosis via multiple pathways, including induction of vasodilation and decrease of angiotensin (AngII)-induced inflammatory factors secretion. In the brain the receptor for ghrelin has been shown to localize in the main cardiovascular control centers in neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius, and central administration of ghrelin attenuates renal and adipose tissue sympathetic nervous activity. Furthermore, microinjection of ghrelin into the nucleus of the solitary tract, the region of the brain that is important for controlling the autonomic nervous system induced a decrease in the heart rate and mean arterial pressure. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the enzyme that catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in catecholamine biosynthesis, is involved in the development and maintenance of hypertension. Taking into account that ghrelin exerts effects on sympathetic activity, we hypothesized that ghrelin induces changes in TH activity and expression. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ghrelin on TH expression and activity.