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Co-expression of ghrelin and its receptor in pancreatic endocrine tumours.
- Source :
-
Clinical endocrinology [Clin Endocrinol (Oxf)] 2007 Jan; Vol. 66 (1), pp. 115-22. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Objective: Expression of ghrelin has been reported in pancreatic endocrine tumours, but data on ghrelin receptor protein expression are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the ghrelin receptor, as well as ghrelin, in a selected series of these tumours, including multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1) associated tumours, and to correlate data with clinical features including body mass index.<br />Design: Immunohistochemical detection of ghrelin and its receptor was performed on frozen tissue from 31 tumours: 9 MEN1 and 22 sporadic. Twenty tumours were analysed by quantitative PCR. Plasma ghrelin was assessed in 26 patients.<br />Results: Twenty-one (68%) of 31 tumours showed immunoreactivity for ghrelin (8/9 MEN1) and 19/20 expressed ghrelin mRNA. Ghrelin receptor protein was detected in 21/30 (70%) tumours (4/8 MEN1), and mRNA was detected in all analysed tumours. Insulinomas had significantly higher levels of receptor mRNA than other tumours. Five patients had elevated plasma ghrelin (> 2 SD above the control group mean). No significant difference in mean plasma ghrelin levels was found between patients (908 +/- 569 ng/l) and controls (952 +/- 164 ng/l). Mean BMI was 24.3 kg/m(2). There was no association between ghrelin or receptor expression and survival.<br />Conclusions: We report the first immunohistochemical data on expression of the ghrelin receptor in pancreatic endocrine tumours: 70% of tumours in our material. Concomitant ghrelin and receptor expression was seen in 50% of tumours, indicating an autocrine loop. Ghrelin was expressed in 68% of tumours (8/9 MEN1). Despite frequent ghrelin expression, elevated circulating ghrelin is rare in these patients.
- Subjects :
- Adenoma, Islet Cell blood
Adenoma, Islet Cell chemistry
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Body Mass Index
Chi-Square Distribution
Female
Gene Expression
Ghrelin
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Insulinoma chemistry
Insulinoma metabolism
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 chemistry
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 metabolism
Pancreatic Neoplasms blood
Pancreatic Neoplasms chemistry
Peptide Hormones analysis
Peptide Hormones blood
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled analysis
Receptors, Ghrelin
Survival Rate
Adenoma, Islet Cell metabolism
Pancreatic Neoplasms metabolism
Peptide Hormones genetics
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0300-0664
- Volume :
- 66
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Clinical endocrinology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 17201810
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.2006.02695.x