Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society
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J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Nov 2006
ReviewGhrelin and melatonin in the regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion and maintaining of integrity.
Ghrelin and melatonin are produced in the central nervous system and in the gastrointestinal tissues; ghrelin in the stomach, and melatonin - in the liver and in the intestine. Both ghrelin and melatonin have been reported to protect the gastric mucosa against acute lesions and to influence gastrointestinal motility and secretions, however the physiological significance of these peptides in the gastrointestinal tissues remains unknown. In spite of the presence of ghrelin and melatonin receptors in the pancreatic tissue little is known about the role of these peptides in the pancreas. ⋯ It has been previously shown that systemic application of ghrelin attenuated acute pancreatitis activating the immune defense mechanisms. Our recent data demonstrate that ghrelin is able to prevent pancreatic inflammatory damage though the activation of central nervous mechanisms leading to the improvement of antioxidative properties of pancreatic tissue. The results of experimental studies indicated that melatonin and ghrelin could take a part in the protection of pancreatic tissue against the damage under physiological conditions.