Table 3. Transgenic models of ghrelin.
| Genotype | Species | Strain | Sex | Stress Paradigm | Ghrelin Level | Effect on Mood | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHSR knockout | Mouse | C57BL/6J and DBA | M | Restraint, predator scent, FST, OF, social stress, noise stress, novel aversive environment |
↑ Acyl-ghrelin | - | [39] |
| GHSR knockdown (AAV-shRNA) |
Mouse | C57BL/6J | M | CSDS | - | ↑ Depression- and anxiety-like behaviour | [40] |
| GHSR knockout | Mouse | C57BL/6J | M | CSDS | ↑ Ghrelin | ↑ Social avoidance | [49] |
| GHSR knockout | Mouse | C57BL/6J | M | CSDS | - | ↑ Depressive-like behaviour | [71] |
| GHR knockout | Mouse | C57BL/6 | M | Acute restraint stress | - | ↑ Anxiety-like behaviour | [72] |
| GHSR knockout GHR knockout |
Mouse | C57BL/6J | M | CRS | - | = Anxiety-like behavior ↑ Anxiety-like behaviour |
[73] |
| GHSR knockout | Mouse | C57BL/6 | M | CSDS | ↑ Ghrelin | = Anxiety and despair-like behaviour | [74] |
| GHSR knockout | Mouse | C57BL/6J | M | - | - | = Fear acquisition, extinction and extinction retention ↓ Saccarine preference |
[75] |
| GHSR knockout | Mouse | C57BL/6J | M | CSDS | ↑ Acyl-ghrelin = des-acyl-ghrelin |
↑ Social isolation | [76] |
Abbreviations: CSDS: chronic social defeat stress, FST: forced swim, OF: open field.