Physiological, pathological and potential therapeutic roles of ghrelin.
Ghrelin, a hormone that is produced mainly by the stomach, was identified originally as the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor. Ghrelin might also be synthesized in other organs, where it might have autocrine or paracrine effects. GHS receptors are present in tissues other than the hypothalamus and pituitary, which indicates that ghrelin has other effects in addition to stimulating the release of growth hormone. Recently, it has been suggested that ghrelin might be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases and be a therapeutic target in these diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the physiological effects of ghrelin and of its pathological and potential therapeutic roles.
Leite-Moreira
Adelino F
AF
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. amoreira@med.up.pt
Soares
João-Bruno
JB
D000818:Animals; D054439:Ghrelin; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin