Ghrelin Reduces Infiltrating Inflammatory Cells After Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) pathophysiology has two injury phases: primary mechanical assault and secondary indirect injury. • The TBI- induced inflammatory response is mediated by the activation of resident microglia, infiltration of leukocytes, and release of proinflammatory cytokines at the site of injury. • Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for GHSR-1a, has recently been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and be beneficial in the pathology of TBI. • The present study sought to determine whether Ghrelin treatment post-TBI would affect the recruitment or infiltration of inflammatory cell populations, including microglia, monocytes/neutrophils, and lymphocytes. Furthermore, this study aimed to determine if Ghrelin regulates the activation state of resident microglia.