Association between plasma ghrelin and motilin levels during MMC cycle in conscious dogs

Abstract

Background Migrating motor complex (MMC) is well characterized by the appearance of gastrointestinal contractions in the interdigestive state. Gastric phase III contractions of MMC are regulated by motilin, but not ghrelin, in dogs. Ghrelin regulates feeding activity in dogs and rodents. It remains unclear how motilin and ghrelin interact during the MMC cycle in dogs. Methods Four strain gauge transducers were implanted on stomach and intestine in 6 female dogs. To investigate the correlation between ghrelin and motilin, plasma motilin and acyl ghrelin (active type) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) during MMC cycle. Results The peak of plasma motilin levels was always observed at the period of gastric phase III contractions. The peak of ghrelin levels were followed 20–25 min after the peak of plasma motilin levels in 13 cases of 18 observations (72.2%). These were frequently observed at the early stage of gastric phase I contractions. In 3 of 16 observations (18.8%), the ghrelin peak was not associated with the motilin peaks. Immediately after the feeding, the interdigestive GI motor pattern was changed to the postprandial pattern. No significant increases of the plasma motilin levels and ghrelin levels were observed after the feeding. Conclusion This is the first demonstration showing the correlation between ghrelin and motilin levels during gastric MMC cycle in conscious dogs. As it is rather difficult to evaluate the hunger score in dogs, it remains unclear whether increased ghrelin levels after finishing gastric phase III contractions may mediate hunger sensation in dogs.