Alterations in stomach ghrelin production and in ghrelin-induced growth hormone secretion in the aged rat.

Ghrelin is a recently discovered stomach hormone that stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion, food intake, adiposity, and growth. In this report, we present new and previously published data from our laboratory showing that stomach ghrelin production and secretion are increased, and that GH release in response to exogenous ghrelin is enhanced in the aged rat. Together, these data suggest that the aging associated decline in GH secretion is not due to a reduction in stomach ghrelin secretion or a stimulatory action on GH release.