Cold ambient temperature reverses abdominal surgery-induced delayed gastric emptying and decreased plasma ghrelin levels in rats

▶ Abdominal surgery-induced decreased gastric emptying is prevented by cold exposure. ▶ TRH analog intracisternally also prevents postoperative gastric ileus. ▶ Exposure to cold increases plasma acyl (AG) and desacyl ghrelin (DAG) levels. ▶ Cold exposure reverses the abdominal surgery-induced decrease of plasma AG and DAG. ▶ TRH activation by cold prevents surgery-induced ileus likely via releasing AG/DAG.