title: Beyond the metabolic role of ghrelin: a new player in the regulation of reproductive function.
abstract: Ghrelin is a gastric peptide, discovered by Kojima et al. (1999) [55] as a result of the search for an endogenous ligand interacting with the "orphan receptor" GHS-R1a (growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a). Ghrelin is composed of 28 aminoacids and is produced mostly by specific cells of the stomach, by the hypothalamus and hypophysis, even if its presence, as well as that of its receptors, has been demonstrated in many other tissues, not least in gonads. Ghrelin potently stimulates GH release and participates in the regulation of energy homeostasis, increasing food intake, decreasing energy output and exerting a lipogenetic effect. Furthermore, ghrelin influences the secretion and motility of the gastrointestinal tract, especially of the stomach, and, above all, profoundly affects pancreatic functions. Despite of these previously envisaged activities, it has recently been hypothesized that ghrelin regulates several aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology. In conclusion, ghrelin not only cooperates with other neuroendocrine factors, such as leptin, in the modulation of energy homeostasis, but also has a crucial role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis. In the current review we summarize the main targets of this gastric peptide, especially focusing on the reproductive system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Science and Technology, Division of Medical Pharmacology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 13, 10125 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muccioli
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lorenzi
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorenzi
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ghè
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arnoletti
authors.forename: Giuseppina Mattace
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Raso
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castellucci
authors.forename: Oreste
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gualillo
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011627:Puberty / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction
chemical_list: C515349:GHRL protein, human; D054439:Ghrelin; D006062:Gonadotropins; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin