Ghrelin system signalling in appetite and reward: in vitro and in vivo perspectives
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Date
2018
Authors
Howick, Kenneth P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
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Abstract
The regulation of food intake is one of the most intricate internal balances in mammalian behaviour. Dysregulation of the central mechanisms underlying appetite control and metabolism result in both disorders of under- and over-eating. Disorders of appetite result in significant morbidity and mortality, and represent a major unmet clinical need. The endogenous hormone ghrelin and its receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR-1a), have long been known as pharmacological targets for appetite-related and metabolic disorders. Nutraceutical and bioactive peptides offer the opportunity to prevent onset and escalation of lifestyle-associated diseases of appetite and metabolism. However, there is a dearth of clinical evidence to justify the development of many bioactives as nutraceuticals. The potential applicability of dairy-derived bioactives in appetite-related disorders is now becoming increasingly apparent. We investigate whether a dairy-derived hydrolysate can increase GHSR-1a signalling in vitro, and whether this can be translated to evidence of effect in vivo in a pre-clinical model (Chapter 2). Subsequently, by leveraging advanced pharmaceutical technology, we develop a gastro-protective and sustained delivery system with a high payload capacity (Chapter 3). Furthermore, ligand-dependent biased signalling, and ligand biodistribution may have important roles to play in increasing efficacy of ghrelin ligands in vivo. Therefore, we investigate whether two synthetic ghrelin ligands, anamorelin and HM01, exert differential effects on the GHSR-1a in vitro (Chapter 4). The divergent effects of these two ligands on appetite and reward-motivated behaviours, as well as effects on central neuronal activation and reward system dopamine (DA) levels will also be investigated with a view to informing strategies to optimize future ghrelin therapies (Chapter 4 and 5). Chapter 2 and 3 provide an effective platform for gastro-protected delivery of bioactive peptides to enable further proof-of-concept studies across the appetite modulation field. Evidence of an orexigenic effect of the bioactive is seen in vivo in a rodent model. The oral delivery system developed served as a clinical formulation platform for proof-of-concept studies in humans to be conducted within the wider Food for Health Ireland research consortium. Chapters 4 and 5 show the importance of biased signalling and biodistribution of ghrelin ligands. Greater maximal food intake is reported by the brain penetrant HM01 vs. the peripherally limited anamorelin. Divergent neuronal activation of the two ligands is also shown in reward processing areas using c-fos immunostaining. Targeting specific downstream signalling pathways will enable the provision of more efficacious appetite modulation therapies, while centrally penetrant ligands will provide further therapeutic avenues through greater reward system activation.
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Keywords
Ghrelin , Food intake , Reward , Bioactive , Dairy
Citation
Howick, K. P. 2018. Ghrelin system signalling in appetite and reward: in vitro and in vivo perspectives. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.