Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 inhibits cerebellar cell death in aged rats

Neuroreport. 2003 Aug 26;14(12):1633-5. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200308260-00018.

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is essential for cerebellar granule neuron survival and a decline in IGF-I is implicated in various age-dependent processes. Here we show that IGF-I mRNA levels are decreased in the cerebellum of old rats compared with young rats and this was associated with increased cell death and activation of caspases 3 and 9. Growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)-6, a synthetic ligand for the ghrelin receptor, increased IGF-I mRNA levels, decreased cell death and inhibited caspase 3 and 9 activation in the cerebellum of aged rats. These results suggest that increasing IGF-I expression in the cerebellum can decrease cell death in aged rats via inhibition of caspase 3 and 9 activation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects*
  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Cerebellum / drug effects*
  • Cerebellum / physiology
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / pharmacology*
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / physiology
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Oligopeptides / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • growth hormone releasing hexapeptide
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone