Physiological, pathological and potential therapeutic roles of ghrelin

Ghrelin, a hormone that is produced mainly by the stomach, was identified originally as the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor. Ghrelin might also be synthesized in other organs, where it might have autocrine or paracrine effects. GHS receptors are present in tissues...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drug discovery today 2007-04, Vol.12 (7), p.276-288
Main Authors: Leite-Moreira, Adelino F., Soares, João-Bruno
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Ghrelin
Humans
Obesity - drug therapy
Obesity - metabolism
Obesity - physiopathology
Peptide Hormones - antagonists & inhibitors
Peptide Hormones - metabolism
Peptide Hormones - physiology
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - antagonists & inhibitors
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism
Receptors, Ghrelin
Signal Transduction - drug effects
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Summary:Ghrelin, a hormone that is produced mainly by the stomach, was identified originally as the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor. Ghrelin might also be synthesized in other organs, where it might have autocrine or paracrine effects. GHS receptors are present in tissues other than the hypothalamus and pituitary, which indicates that ghrelin has other effects in addition to stimulating the release of growth hormone. Recently, it has been suggested that ghrelin might be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases and be a therapeutic target in these diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the physiological effects of ghrelin and of its pathological and potential therapeutic roles. ‘As the spectrum of biological activities of ghrelin expands, potential clinical targets, mimetics and perhaps antagonists of grehlin are beginning to emerge.’
ISSN:1359-6446
1878-5832
DOI:10.1016/j.drudis.2007.02.009