Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The ghrelin gene products ghrelin and obestatin (Ob) protect mice from STZ-induced β-cell death, inflammation and STZ-induced diabetes. A possible event is ghrelin/Ob-induced regeneration of damaged β-cell population through the recruitment of pancreatic progenitor cells (PPC). We hypothesized that Ob affects proliferation and endocrine commitment of PPC within the islets of Langerhans.Methods: Islets of Langerhans were isolated f...

Obestatin (Ob) is a peptide recently identified as a product of the ghrelin gene. It was claimed to bind to the orphan receptor GPR39, but this finding is still a matter of debate. Ob exerts peripheral effects, for example, it promotes cell survival and has antiapoptotic actions in different cell lines. In addition, Ob has central effects, such as inhibition of thirst, modulation of anxiety, sleep and mnemonic functions. Mnemonic processes involve neurogenesis; in particular, ...