Correlation between plasma ghrelin level and memory performance under chronic scheduled- diet

Background and Aim : Previous studies have indicated that brain controls learned feeding behavior through ghrelin. Also, ghrelin has neuroprotective and memory enhancing effects and is a well-known neurogenic hormone. We designed the study to determine how the combination of learned- meal with different calorie intake will affect the endogenous ghrelin response and whether there is a relation between ghrelin changes and memory performance.Methods : Forty male Wistar rats (180-200 gr) were distributed into four groups (n=10), freely fed rats (control) and three scheduled-fed groups with different caloric intakes; high fat, standard and restricted diet. At the end of study, initial and step-through latencies (learning and memory) and plasma ghrelin levels were evaluated.Results : A significant positive correlation between ghrelin plasma levels and memory performance was seen just in scheduled-standard feeding group, while the ghrelin results of high fat and restricted feeding groups did not correlate with memory function.Conclusion : Current data show scheduled feeding behavior had more effective role on memory function than freely feeding pattern, and this response completely relies on dietary composition /or energy intake.

Keywords:

Ghrelin , Memory , Chronic scheduled- diet , Rat