Does ghrelin level change after epileptic seizure in rats?

Aim: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic problems worldwide. A relationship between epilepsy and hormones has been demonstrated. This study was designed to investigate the effect of seizure on blood ghrelin level. Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. The control group received saline and the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) group received a single convulsive dose (50 mg/kg) of PTZ. Thirty minutes later blood samples were collected and acylated and unacylated ghrelin levels in the plasma were assayed. Results: Acylated or active form of ghrelin decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after a PTZ-induced seizure, but the reduction of unacylated and total blood ghrelin levels failed to reach statistical significance. Conclusion: These findings may reflect that PTZ-induced epilepsy decreases AG of plasma. (C) 2011 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.