Characterizing ghrelin’s role in dysregulating GLP-1-mediated function and promoting the development of alcohol-associated liver disease - 04/02/26

Abstract |
This study investigated the complex interplay between two gut hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and ghrelin and their role in the development of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Previous studies conducted in our laboratory and others have shown that chronic alcohol exposure leads to increased serum ghrelin and GLP-1 levels. Paradoxically, despite increased GLP-1, insulin resistance and disrupted hepatic lipid metabolism was noted in chronic ethanol fed animals. These results suggested impaired GLP-1-mediated protective function in the presence of high ghrelin. Our recent studies also revealed that growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR, which is the ghrelin receptor) knockout (GHSR-KO) rats fed ethanol were more insulin sensitive and were resistant to develop ALD despite reduced serum GLP-1 compared to ethanol-fed wildtypes. Based on these considerations, we hypothesized that alcohol-induced increases in ghrelin-GHSR interaction impairs GLP-1-mediated functions. We employed both in vivo and in vitro approaches, including chronic ethanol feeding of wild-type and GHSR-KO rats, ghrelin administration to chow-fed rats, GSHR and GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R)-transfected hepatocytes, murine enteroendocrine GLUTag and HEK293T cells utilizing several techniques to test our hypothesis. Chronic ethanol feeding in wildtype rats increased GLP-1 and GLP-1R levels, while ethanol-fed GHSR-KO rats did not show this increase. Ghrelin promoted GHSR and GLP-1R interaction/dimerization, thereby reducing GLP-1 effects. Furthermore, in-silico molecular docking analysis identified specific amino acid residues in the transmembrane regions of both receptors that are predicted to mediate this interaction. Alcohol-induced increases in ghrelin modulate GLP-1-mediated functions through GHSR-GLP-1R interactions. Targeting this interaction could offer a potential therapeutic strategy for ALD.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
Chronic alcohol-induced increased ghrelin modulates GLP-1 function (insulin sensitivity and hepatic steatosis) by interfering with GLP-1R mediated signaling via GHSR-GLP-1R dimerization. Targeting GHSR/GLP-1R interaction offers potential therapy for alcohol-associated liver disease.
Chronic alcohol-induced increased ghrelin modulates GLP-1 function (insulin sensitivity and hepatic steatosis) by interfering with GLP-1R mediated signaling via GHSR-GLP-1R dimerization. Targeting GHSR/GLP-1R interaction offers potential therapy for alcohol-associated liver disease. Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.
Highlights |
• | Alcohol exposure impairs GLP-1 function despite increasing GLP-1/GLP-1R levels. |
• | Alcohol-induced enhanced ghrelin inhibits GLP-1 activity via GHSR/GLP-1R interaction. |
• | This interaction involves increased receptor co-localization and dimerization. |
• | Targeting GHSR/GLP-1R may offer a new therapy alcohol-associated liver disease. |
List of abbreviations : ALD, BRET, Co-IP, DPP4, GFP, GLP-1, GLP-1R, GHSR, GPCR, GCG, LC-MS/MS, MASLD, MEM, PCSK1, PP, RFP, TG
Keywords : Alcohol-associated liver disease, Gut hormones, Ghrelin, Ghrelin receptor (GHSR) Glucagon-like peptide-1, G-protein coupled receptor, Receptor-receptor interactions
Plan
Vol 195
Article 118924- février 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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