The many faces of ghrelin: new perspectives for nutrition research?
The appetite-modulating peptide ghrelin is predominantly produced and secreted by the stomach and shows a strong growth hormone-releasing activity, which is mediated by the activation of the so-called growth hormone secretagogue type 1a receptor. Ghrelin is involved in the regulation of energy balance by increasing food intake and reducing fat utilization. Additionally, it stimulates lactotroph and corticotroph function, influences the pituitary gonadal axis, inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, controls gastric motility and acid secretion and influences pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function, as well as impacting on glucose metabolism. This review summarizes the known functions of ghrelin and its role in the regulation of the gut-brain axis.
Otto
Bärbel
B
Medical Department--Innenstadt, University Hospital Munich, Germany. Barbel.Otto@med.uni-muenchen.de
Spranger
Jochen
J
Benoit
Stephen C
SC
Clegg
Debbie J
DJ
Tschöp
Matthias H
MH
D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology; D054439:Ghrelin; D005947:Glucose / Q000502:physiology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000502:physiology; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology
D054439:Ghrelin; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D005947:Glucose