Influence of breast milk on secretion of Ghrelin and Peptide YY in rats

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of breast milk on secretion of Ghrelin and Peptide YY(PYY) during different periods in SD rats. Methods Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into breast milk-fed group(BG) and formula-artificial fed group(FG) with 20 in each group.After 21 days both of the 2 groups were fed by same forage.Ten of each group were experimentized in day 21 equivalently weaning period, and rest rats were experi-mentized at the 50th day equivalently childhood.Real-time PCR was used to determine the mRNA of PYY, Ghrelin from gastric, colon.Immunohistochemistry was used to determine Ghrelin, PYY protein expression in the gastrointestinal tract tissues. Results There were no difference between body weight and gastrointestinal mucosal development of 2 rat groups in day 21 and day 50(P>0.05), mRNA and protein expression of Ghrelin and PYY in breast milk-fed group were higher than formula-artificial fed group in both day 21 and day 50(all P<0.05). Conclusions The Ghrelin and PYY levels of breast milk-fed rats is higher than formula-artificial fed ones, and this phenomenon continues to their childhood.Breast milk protects offspring from obesity by influencing the secretion of brain-gut peptide and has long-term consequences on the regulation of food intake and energy balance from neonatal period to their later life. Key words: Breast milk; Formula milk; Peptide YY; Ghrelin