English Journal

Ghrelin reduces voltage-gated calcium currents in GH(3) cells via cyclic GMP pathways.

Han X, Zhu Y, Zhao Y, Chen C.SourceDepartment of Physiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Shannxi, China.
Endocrine.Endocrine.2011 Aug 27. [Epub ahead of print]
Ghrelin is an endogenous growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) causing release of GH from pituitary somatotropes through the GHS receptor. Secretion of GH is linked directly to intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i), which is determined by Ca(2+) influx and release from intracellular Ca(2+)
PMID 21874320

Japanese Journal

Impaired Development of Somatotropes, Lactotropes and Thyrotropes in Growth-Retarded (grt) Mice

Kobayashi Kenichi,Yamamoto Kazutoshi,Kikuyama Sakae,Machida Takeo,Kobayashi Tetsuya
Journal of Toxicologic Pathology 22(3), 187-194, 2009
… We characterized the developmental pattern of somatotropes, lactotropes and thyrotropes in the anterior pituitary, as well as plasma levels of their secretory hormones, in grt mice. … Compared with normal mice, there were significantly fewer somatotropes in the grt pituitary until 8 weeks of age, but the number gradually increased up to 48 weeks. … These findings indicate that development of somatotropes, lactotropes and thyrotropes in grt mice is impaired, being followed by altered hormone secretion. …
NAID 130000137720