title: Ghrelin and synthetic GH secretagogues.
abstract: Ghrelin, a 28-amino-acid acylated peptide, produced mainly by the stomach, displays strong growth hormone-(GH)-releasing activity mediated by the hypothalamus-pituitary growth hormone potential secretagogue (GHS) receptor which had been shown to be specific for a family of synthetic, orally active GHS. GHS are reliable provocative tests for the diagnosis of GH deficiency but, as orally active growth-promoting agents, they are not comparable with human recombinant GH in terms of efficacy. The usefulness of GHS in anabolic, anti-ageing drug intervention in the somatopause is still unclear. GHS also act on central and peripheral receptors and show other actions, including an orexigenic effect, an influence on gastroentero-pancreatic functions, and cardiovascular and anti-proliferative effects. Ghrelin mediates the neuroendocrine and metabolic response to starvation. Taking into account its orexigenic effect, GHS analogues acting as agonists or antagonists on appetite could represent a new drug intervention for eating disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arvat
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Broglio
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aimaretti
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benso
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Romano
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deghenghi
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ghigo
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism; D054439:Ghrelin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin