Interferon-γ inhibits ghrelin expression and secretion via a somatostatin-mediated mechanism

Figure 3 Interferon γ suppresses ghrelin expression in the gastric fundus and ghrelin concentrations in plasma independently of loss of ghrelin-producing cells. Mice infused with interferon γ (IFNγ) as compared to saline infused mice (n = 6 in each group). IFNγ was infused at low dose (LD) = 8 μg/kg per hour for 7 d or high dose (HD) = 24 μg/kg per hour for 7 d. Low (A) and high (B) dose IFNγ infusion decreases the expression of ghrelin mRNA to a similar degree. HD IFNγ represses ghrelin concentrations in plasma gradually over time (C). The density of fundic ghrelin cells is not altered by IFNγ infusion (D). ^aP < 0.05.