title: The physiological significance and potential clinical applications of ghrelin.
abstract: Ghrelin, a natural ligand for the growth hormone (GH)-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), is now known to play a role in a number of different physiological processes. For example, ghrelin increases GH secretion, feeding, and body weight when administered centrally or peripherally. These unique effects of ghrelin should be invaluable for the development of novel treatments and disease diagnostic techniques. Clinical trials have already been performed to assess the utility of ghrelin for the treatment of several disorders including anorexia, cachexia, and GH-related disorders. This review summarizes the recent advances in this area of research.
authors.affiliation: Ghrelin Research Project, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Translational Research Center, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto University School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. akamizu@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akamizu
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kangawa
mesh_terms: D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin