title: The cardiovascular action of hexarelin.
abstract: Hexarelin, a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide, can bind to and activate the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in the brain similar to its natural analog ghrelin. However, the peripheral distribution of GHSR in the heart and blood vessels suggests that hexarelin might have direct cardiovascular actions beyond growth hormone release and neuroendocrine effects. Furthermore, the non-GHSR CD36 had been demonstrated to be a specific cardiac receptor for hexarelin and to mediate its cardioprotective effects. When compared with ghrelin, hexarelin is chemically more stable and functionally more potent. Therefore, it may be a promising therapeutic agent for some cardiovascular conditions. In this concise review, we discuss the current evidence for the cardiovascular action of hexarelin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan ; Department of Medicine, Prince George's Hospital Center, Cheverly, Maryland 20785, USA.
authors.forename: Yuanjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tokudome
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan ; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan.
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
keywords: CD36; Cardiovascular disease; Growth hormone secretagogue receptor; Hexarelin