Plasma ghrelin concentration is decreased by short chain fatty acids in wethers

To examine the effects of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on plasma ghrelin concentration, 4 wethers were injected intravenously with SCFA solutions acetate (ACE), propionate (PRO), and butyrate (BUT) (0.8 mmol/kg BW)] and saline. The experiment was conducted after a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each solution was injected into the jugular vein catheter with blood samples taken at −10, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min relative to the injection time also from this catheter. Plasma ghrelin concentrations decreased after injection with ACE, PRO, and BUT. Although plasma glucose concentrations increased after injection with PRO and BUT (P < 0.05), the increment areas were greater with BUT than with PRO. Plasma insulin concentrations increased after injection with PRO and BUT (P < 0.05). The decrement areas in plasma ghrelin concentrations were equal in ACE, PRO, and BUT. These data suggest that SCFAs inhibit ghrelin secretion in wethers and not through increased circulating glucose and insulin as previously proposed.