title: Current and potential roles of ghrelin in clinical practice.
abstract: Ghrelin is a novel GH-releasing peptide, which has been identified as an endogenous ligand for GH-secretagogue receptor. Ghrelin is mainly secreted by the stomach and plays a critical role in a variety of physiological processes including endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular, immunological, and other actions. Ghrelin stimulates food intake via hypothalamic neurons and causes a positive energy balance and body weight gain by decreasing fat utilization and promoting adiposity. Given the multiple effects of ghrelin, its potential clinical applications have been evaluated in various conditions. Preliminary trials have shown that it may prove valuable in the management of disease-induced cachexia. Ghrelin may improve the wasting syndrome through GH-dependent or GH-independent effects. Moreover, ghrelin may play a role in the management of disorders of gut motility and obesity. Finally, other potential clinical applications of ghrelin include the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus, infections, rheumatological diseases or GH deficiency and the diagnosis of this hormonal disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, Larissa, Hellas.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Angelidis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valotassiou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Georgoulias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone