Administration of ghrelin associated with decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 following normobaric systemic hypoxia in the brain

Abstract

Objective. According to our previous studies, ghrelin protects blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity and it attenuates hypoxia-induced brain edema in the hypoxic conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Several studies suggest a role for matrix metal-loproteinase-9 (MMP9) in the BBB disruption and cerebral edema formation. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of ghrelin on MMP9 protein expression in the model of acute and chronic systemic hypoxia.

Keywords

• hypoxic brain
• matrix metalloproteinase-9
• ghrelin