title: Ghrelin: a link between eating disorders, obesity and reproduction.
abstract: Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid acylated peptide predominantly produced by the stomach, displays strong GH-releasing activity mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary GH secretagogues (GHS) receptors (GHS-R) which had been shown specific for a family of synthetic, orally active molecules known as GHS. However, ghrelin and GHS, acting on central and peripheral receptors, also exert other actions. These include influence on pituitary functions, orexigenic action, influence on exocrine and endocrine gastro-entero-pancreatic functions, cardiovascular and anti-proliferative effects. In particular, the effect of ghrelin in promoting food intake and modulating energy metabolism strongly suggested that ghrelin has a key role in managing the neuroendocrine and metabolic response to starvation and that could be involved in the pathogenesis and/or in the metabolic and neuro-hormonal alterations of obesity and eating disorders. Although specific alterations in ghrelin secretion and/or action in obesity and anorexia nervosa (AN) have already been reported, the possibility that ghrelin analogues acting as agonists or antagonists has clinical perspectives for treatment of eating disorders presently remains a dream.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gottero
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Broglio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prodam
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Destefanis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benso
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gauna
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arvat
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Lely
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ghigo
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004435:Eating; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D006728:Hormones; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone