Increased affinity of ghrelin-reactive immunoglobulins in obese Zucker rats

- Ghrelin is an acylated peptide hormone stimulating food intake and adiposity;
- Previous data showed that (i) ghrelin is protected from degradation by plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) G; (ii) plasma IgG from obese humans and mice enhanced ghrelin's orexigenic effect; and (iii) obese humans and mice display increased affinity of plasma IgG for ghrelin.
- Here we show that affinity of plasma IgG for ghrelin is increased in obese Zucker rats.