title: A review of the cardiovascular and anti-atherogenic effects of ghrelin.
abstract: Ghrelin is a peptide hormone produced mainly in the stomach that has widespread tissue distribution and diverse hormonal, metabolic and cardiovascular activities. The circulating ghrelin concentration increases during fasting and decreases after food intake. Ghrelin secretion may thus be initiated by food intake and is possibly controlled by nutritional factors. Lean subjects have increased levels of circulating ghrelin compared with obese subjects. Recent reports show that low plasma ghrelin is associated with elevated fasting insulin levels, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Factors involved in the regulation of ghrelin secretion have not yet been defined; however, it is assumed that blood glucose levels represent a significant regulator. Recent evidence indicates that ghrelin can increase myocardial contractility, enhance vasodilatation, and has protective effect from myocardial damage. It has been shown that ghrelin may improve cardiac function through growth hormone (GH)-dependent mechanisms but there is also evidence to suggest that ghrelin's cardioprotective activity is independent of GH. Recent data demonstrate that ghrelin can influence key events in atherogenesis. Thus, ghrelin may be a new target for the treatment of some cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we consider the current literature focusing on ghrelin as a potential antiatherogenic agent in the treatment of various pathophysiological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Manfredi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.forename: Emina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sudar
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soskic
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Obradovic
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montalto
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boutjdir
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.forename: Esma R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Isenovic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D054439:Ghrelin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007328:Insulin