Ghrelin-mediated inhibition of the TSH-stimulated function of differentiated human thyrocytes ex vivo

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone produced mainly in the gastrointestinal tract known to regulate several physiological functions including gut motility, adipose tissue accumulation and hunger sensation leading to increased bodyweight. Studies have found a correlation between the plasma levels of thyroid hormones and ghrelin, but an effect of ghrelin on the human thyroid has never been investigated even though ghrelin receptors are present in the thyroid. The present study shows a ghrelin-induced decrease in the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-induced production of thyroglobulin and mRNA expression of thyroperoxidase in a primary culture of human thyroid cells obtained from paranodular tissue. Accordingly, a trend was noted for an inhibition of TSH-stimulated expression of the sodium-iodine symporter and the TSH-receptor. Thus, this study suggests an effect of ghrelin on human thyrocytes and thereby emphasizes the relevance of examining whether ghrelin also influences the metabolic homeostasis through altered thyroid hormone production.