A Novel Controller of Visceral Function

Grant number: 508947 | Funding period: 2008 - 2010

Completed

Abstract

This study investigates the control of internal organs of the body, the heart, blood vessels, intestine and bladder. We have made the new and surprising discovery that ghrelin, previously known to be a hormone, is probably also a neurotransmitter in the spinal cord. This raises the possibility that drugs that act on ghrelin receptors in the spinal cord could be used to treat high blood pressure or other problems of internal organs.

Related publications (5)

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Expression of the ghrelin receptor gene in neurons of the medulla oblongata of the rat

R Bron, L Yin, D Russo, JB Furness

2013-08-15

There is ambiguity concerning the distribution of neurons that express the ghrelin receptor (GHSR) in the medulla oblongata. In th..

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Contrasting effects of ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin on the lumbo-sacral defecation center and regulation of colorectal motility in rats

H Hirayama, T Shiina, T Shima, H Kuramoto, T Takewaki, JB Furness, Y Shimizu

2010-10-01

Background We have previously demonstrated that a centrally penetrant ghrelin receptor agonist enhances colorectal motility, throu..

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Evidence for functional ghrelin receptors on parasympathetic preganglionic neurons of micturition control pathways in the rat

DM Ferens, L Yin, K Ohashi-Doi, M Habgood, R Bron, JA Brock, JD Gale, JB Furness

2010-09-01

1. Previous work indicates that agonists of ghrelin receptors can act within the spinal cord to stimulate autonomic outputs to the..

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Functional and in situ hybridization evidence that preganglionic sympathetic vasoconstrictor neurons express ghrelin receptors

DM Ferens, L Yin, R Bron, B Hunne, K Ohashi-Doi, PD Kitchener, GJ Sanger, J Witherington, Y Shimizu, JB Furness

2010-03-17

Agonists of ghrelin receptors can lower or elevate blood pressure, and it has been suggested that the increases in blood pressure ..

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Oral administration of a centrally acting ghrelin receptor agonist to conscious rats triggers defecation

AD Shafton, GJ Sanger, J Witherington, JD Brown, A Muir, S Butler, L Abberley, Y Shimizu, JB Furness

2009-01-01

Agonists of ghrelin receptors that cross the blood-brain barrier, but not ghrelin itself, administered peripherally (intravenous o..

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