Ghrelin Aggravates Prostate Enlargement in Rats with Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Stromal Cell Proliferation, and Smooth Muscle Contraction in Human Prostate Tissues.

Wang X, Wang Y, Gratzke C, Sterr C, Yu Q, Li B, Strittmatter F, Herlemann A, Tamalunas A, Rutz B, Ciotkowska A, Waidelich R, Liu C, Stief CG, Hennenberg M

Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity22 Nov 2019Cited by 13 (Europe PMC)

PMID31885795PMCIDPMC6893282DOI10.1155/2019/4748312PepBankPUB-31885795

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Summary

Epidemiologic studies revealed a context between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and metabolic syndrome. However, molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship are largely unknown. Prostate enlargement and increased prostate smooth muscle tone are important factors in the pathophysiology of LUTS suggestive of BPH. In the present study, we studied effects of the metabolic hormone ghrelin on prostate enlargement in rats with experimentally induced BPH, growth of cultured stromal cells from human prostate (WPMY-1), and smooth muscle contraction of human prostate tissues. Ghrelin (20 nmol/kg daily, p.o., 2 weeks) increased prostate size in rats with testosterone-induced BPH. Microarray identified 114 ghrelin-upregulated genes (2-fold or more) in these prostates, with possible roles in growth, smooth muscle contraction, or metabolism. 12 genes were selected for further analyses. In human prostate tissues, mRNA levels of 11 of them correlated positively with ghrelin receptor (GHSR) expression, but only two with the degree of BPH. Accordingly, no correlation was evident between GHSR expression level and BPH in human prostate tissues. In WPMY-1 cells, the GHRS agonist MK0677 upregulated 11 of the selected genes. MK0677 induced proliferation of WPMY-1 cells, shown by EdU assay, colony formation, proliferation markers, flow cytometry, and viability. In myographic measurements, GHSR agonists enhanced contractions of human prostate strips. Together, ghrelin may aggravate prostate enlargement, stromal cell growth, and prostate smooth muscle contraction in BPH. Ghrelin may deteriorate urethral obstruction independently from BPH, qualifying the ghrelin system as an attractive new target to be tested for LUTS treatment in BPH.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01LabIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In human WPMY-1 cells, MK0677 increased expression of 11 selected genes.
In plain wordsIn cells from human prostate, MK0677 increased expression of 11 selected genes.
Peptide
MK-677 (ibutamoren)
Outcome
IncreaseSelected gene expression
Study
humann: not reported in source
WPMY-1 prostate stromal cells
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Upregulated genes
11 genes
selected genes
Source sentences
Summary
In WPMY-1 cells, the GHRS agonist MK0677 upregulated 11 of the selected genes.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3188579501
02LabIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In human WPMY-1 cells, MK0677 induced proliferation across the reported assays.
In plain wordsIn cells from human prostate, MK0677 increased cell proliferation.
Peptide
MK-677 (ibutamoren)
Outcome
IncreaseStromal cell proliferation
Study
humann: not reported in source
WPMY-1 prostate stromal cells
Outcome group
Cell proliferation and differentiation · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
MK0677 induced proliferation of WPMY-1 cells, shown by EdU assay, colony formation, proliferation markers, flow cytometry, and viability.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3188579502

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, MK-677 (ibutamoren) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking MK-677 (ibutamoren).

03LabNot a test of MK-677 (ibutamoren) aloneEx vivo tissueEfficacy outcome
In human prostate strips, pooled GHSR agonists enhanced contractions.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, GHSR agonists as a group increased contractions of human prostate strips.
Peptide
MK-677 (ibutamoren)
Outcome
IncreaseSmooth muscle contraction
Study
humann: not reported in source
Human prostate strips
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
In myographic measurements, GHSR agonists enhanced contractions of human prostate strips.
In this study, MK-677 (ibutamoren) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MK-677 (ibutamoren).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3188579503

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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