Stimulatory effect of n-octanoylated ghrelin on locomotor activity in the goldfish, Carassius auratus

Ghrelin is implicated in growth and feeding regulation in fish. The influence of ghrelin on behavior has not been well studied and the physiological role of des-fatty acid modification of this peptide is unclear. Therefore, the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intraperitoneal (IP) administration of synthetic n-octanoylated (acyl) goldfish ghrelin and des-n-octanoylated (des-acyl) ghrelin on locomotor and orexigenic activity in the goldfish were examined. ICV administration of acyl ghrelin at doses of 1 and 2 pmol/g body weight (BW) and IP administration at 16 pmol/g BW both induced significant increases in locomotor activity during for 45–60 min after treatment. Cumulative food intake was significantly increased by ICV injection of acyl ghrelin at doses of 1 and 2 pmol/g BW and IP injection at 8 and 16 pmol/g BW during the 60-min post-treatment observation period. In contrast, ICV and IP administration of des-acyl ghrelin produced no changes in locomotor and orexigenic activity. We also analyzed fasting-induced changes in the expression of ghrelin mRNA in the brain and intestine using a real-time PCR method. The level of ghrelin mRNA in the intestine, but not in the brain, obtained from fish fasted for 7 days was significantly higher than that in fish that had been fed normally. These results suggest that, in the goldfish, acyl ghrelin, but not des-acyl ghrelin, stimulates locomotor activity and enhances food intake via central and peripheral pathways.