Influence of a long-term high-fat diet on ghrelin secretion and ghrelin-induced food intake in rats

► A long-term high-fat diet in rats has a persistent inhibitory effect on basal plasma ghrelin levels. ► The plasma ghrelin elevation to an overnight fast persists in rats fed a high-fat diet for a long-term basis. ► A high-fat diet does not inhibit the ingestive response to ghrelin. ► Insulin does not inhibit the plasma ghrelin response to fasting. ► Pioglitazone treatment increases stomach ghrelin homeostasis in rats fed a high-fat diet.