Effect of ghrelin on H. pylori LPS-induced gastric mucosal cell apoptosis and the activity of caspase-3. The cells, preincubated with the indicated concentrations of ghrelin, were treated with the LPS at 100 ng/mL and incubated for 16 h. Values represent the means ± SD of five experiments. compared with that of control. compared with that of LPS alone.