Lipopolysaccharide differentially decreases plasma acyl and desacyl ghrelin levels in rats: Potential role of the circulating ghrelin-acylating enzyme GOAT

▶ Plasma acyl ghrelin (AG) decreases more than desacyl ghrelin (DG) at 2 h post-LPS. ▶ Both forms equally decrease at 5 and 7 h and return to pre-injection levels at 24 h. ▶ At 2 h post-LPS, plasma GOAT protein decreases while gastric GOAT protein increases. ▶ This may account for lower plasma acyl ghrelin levels. ▶ Decline in AG and DG is not secondary to increased temperature and blood glucose.