Influence of ghrelin on food intake and energy homeostasis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to provide updated information on the role of ghrelin in food intake and energy homeostasis, and on its mechanism of action. Moreover, the potential of ghrelin as a target for drugs to treat cachexia and obesity will be discussed.


RESULTS
Whereas the effects of ghrelin in the regulation of appetite, food intake and energy homeostasis have been fairly well documented, the pathways responsible for the effects of ghrelin are now increasingly being understood. As a consequence, clinical applications of ghrelin are now being developed.


CONCLUSIONS
Ghrelin is an endogenous orexigenic peptide recently discovered in the stomach. Ghrelin is involved in short-term regulation of food intake since its plasma levels increase before meals and decrease strongly postprandially. Ghrelin is also involved in long-term body-weight regulation by inducing adiposity. Ghrelin might be useful for cachexia and obesity treatment.
De Vriese
Carine
C
Laboratory of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Delporte
Christine
C
D000855:Anorexia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
D054439:Ghrelin; D020738:Leptin