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

Table 1 Fundic somatostatin mRNA increases after 2 mo of Helicobacter pylori infection in wild-type mice (mean ± SE)

	Fundus			Antrum
	Control	H. pylori	P	Control	H. pylori	P
IFNγ mRNA	1.0 ± 0.2	1.8 ± 0.3	< 0.05	1.0 ± 0.1	4.1 ± 0.9	< 0.05
iNOS mRNA	1.0 ± 0.1	1.5 ± 0.1	< 0.05	1.0 ± 0.2	2.2 ± 0.5	< 0.05
Somatostatin mRNA	1.0 ± 0.2	1.4 ± 0.2	< 0.05	1.0 ± 0.2	0.4 ± 0.1	< 0.05
Ghrelin cells (#/mm mucosa)	25 ± 3	27 ± 5	NS	8 ± 2	7 ± 3	NS

The expression of interferon γ (IFNγ), iNOS and somatostatin mRNA in arbitrary units in H. pylori-infected mice (n = 7) 2 mo after inoculation or in uninfected control mice (n = 7). Ghrelin cell density was unchanged. H. pylori: Helicobacter pyloriNS: Non-significant.

Table 2 Fundic expression of somatostatin mRNA increases during subcutaneous interferon γ infusion (mean ± SE)

	Fundus			Antrum
	Saline	+ IFNγ	P	Saline	+ IFNγ	P
Low Dose IFNγ
Somatostatin mRNA	1.0 ± 0.2	1.9 ± 0.2	< 0.05	1.0 ± 0.2	0.9 ± 0.1	NS
IFNγ mRNA	1.0 ± 0.1	1.1 ± 0.2	NS	1.0 ± 0.1	1.2 ± 0.2	NS
High Dose IFNγ
Somatostatin mRNA	1.0 ± 0.1	1.6 ± 0.1	< 0.05	1.0 ± 0.1	1.1 ± 0.1	NS
IFNγ mRNA	1.0 ± 0.2	1.3 ± 0.1	NS	1.0 ± 0.1	1.2 ± 0.1	NS

The fundic and antral expression of somatostatin mRNA and endogenous interferon γ (IFNγ) mRNA in arbitrary units in mice infused with either IFNγ or saline (n = 6 in each group). Low dose IFNγ = 8 μg/kg per hour for 7 d and high dose IFNγ = 24 μg/kg per hour for 7 d. NS: Non-significant.