title: Ghrelin: a new hormone with endocrine and non-endocrine activities.
abstract: Ghrelin, the new and recently discovered hormone, is a 28 amino-acid acylated peptide predominantly produced by the stomach, characterized by a strong GH-releasing activity mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary GH Secretagogues (GHSs) receptors. Ghrelin and GHSs, acting on central and peripheral receptors, exert other actions such as: stimulation of ACTH and prolactin secretion; influence insulin secretion and glucose metabolism; have an orexigenic effect and modulatory activity on the neuroendocrine and metabolic response to starvation; influencing exocrine gastro-entero-pancreatic functions; influencing cardiovascular activities and modulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. With the discovery of ghrelin and the characterization of these GH-independent biological activities, we have to pay more attention to these molecules as candidate drugs for the treatment of pathophysiological conditions including those unrelated to GH secretion disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatrics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale A. Avogadro, Novara, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baldelli
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellone
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Broglio
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ghigo
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bona
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D054439:Ghrelin; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin; D013006:Growth Hormone