Ghrelin induces growth hormone (GH) secretion via nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling.

Ghrelin, a recently discovered 28-aa peptide, stimulates GH release through a mechanism involving PLC- and cAMP-related signaling pathways. Recently, nitric oxide (NO) and its mediator, cGMP, have been shown to be required for the response of somatotropes to various regulators (GHRH, somatostatin, leptin). Here, we explore the possible role of the NO synthase (NOS)/NO/guanylate cyclase (GC)/cGMP signaling pathway in ghrelin-induced GH release from cultured pig somatotropes using blockers or activators of this route.