Ghrelin system in pancreatic AR42J cells: its ligand stimulation evokes calcium signalling through ghrelin receptors.

Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. The presence of ghrelin in pancreatic islet cells has been previously reported and it is known to increase the [Ca2+]i in (-cells, affecting insulin secretion. However, evidence for the existence of the ghrelin system and its calcium signalling pathway in the exocrine pancreas remains unclear.