Original paper
Hepatic secretory activity of ghrelin in patients with chronic viral hepatitis

Ghrelin is a neuropeptide which takes part in the regulation of energetic balance in the human body. The role of the liver in ghrelin metabolism remains unclear. Previous studies were based on observations of changes in ghrelin concentrations in serum in different liver diseases. It is well known that the gastric mucosa seems to be the main source of ghrelin in the peripheral tissues. The aim of the study was to evaluate ghrelin metabolism in the liver. It was based on the assessment of ghrelin concentration, basic and peak stimulated secretion by liver and gastric mucosa. Material and methods: The study was performed on 11 patients with chronic viral hepatitis who were examined by liver biopsy and gastroscopy because of clinical indications. Liver samples taken by Menghini thick needle method and bioptates of gastric mucosa were examined. The concentration of ghrelin was measured by radioimmunological method, accounted by 1 mg protein tissue. Ghrelin secretion was studied in two different conditions: stabilized and stimulated by naltrexone and ghrelin. Results: The concentration of ghrelin in the gastric mucosa was twenty times higher than in the liver tissues (p<0.001). There were no significant differences between the liver and stomach tissues in both basic and stimulated ghrelin secretion. Conclusions: The concentration of ghrelin in the liver is lower than in the gastric mucosa. In the stabilized and stimulated by ghrelin and naltrexone conditions the levels of ghrelin in the liver and stomach were similar.