Ghrelin rescues skeletal muscle catabolic profile in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease

Sci Rep. 2017 Oct 24;7(1):13896. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-13713-5.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests altered energy metabolism as a key feature in Huntington's disease (HD) pathology. Hyper-catabolism, including weight loss and muscle atrophy, is seen in HD patients and HD mouse models. Metabolic hormones are key players, not only in energy metabolism, but also in neurodegenerative processes. Ghrelin, a gut peptide-hormone, plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism, stimulating appetite, and affects brain function and increases neuronal survival. The R6/2 mouse model of HD has previously been shown to exhibit progressive weight loss, dysregulated glucose metabolism, skeletal muscle atrophy and altered body composition. In this study, we targeted energy metabolism in R6/2 mice using ghrelin administration, with the primary aim to delay weight loss and reduce muscle atrophy. We also evaluated glucose metabolism and behaviour. We here demonstrate that ghrelin administration (subcutaneous 150 μg/kg daily injections) for 4 weeks, reversed the catabolic gene expression profile (increased expression of Caspase 8, Traf-5 and Creb1) seen in R6/2 mouse skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle morphology was also improved with ghrelin, and importantly, ghrelin administration normalized behavioural deficits in R6/2 mice. Taken together, our findings encourage further studies targeting metabolism in HD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue, White / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue, White / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Ghrelin / pharmacology*
  • Ghrelin / therapeutic use
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease / blood
  • Huntington Disease / complications
  • Huntington Disease / drug therapy
  • Huntington Disease / metabolism*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscular Atrophy / complications
  • Muscular Atrophy / drug therapy
  • Nesting Behavior / drug effects
  • Rats

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Fatty Acids
  • Ghrelin
  • Glucose