Arvat Emanuela, Broglio Fabio, Aimaretti Gianluca, Benso Andrea, Giordano Roberta, Deghenghi Romano, Ghigo Ezio
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126 Turin, Italy.
Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Sep;16(3):505-17. doi: 10.1053/beem.2002.0213.
Ghrelin, a 28-amino-acid acylated peptide, produced mainly by the stomach, displays strong growth hormone-(GH)-releasing activity mediated by the hypothalamus-pituitary growth hormone potential secretagogue (GHS) receptor which had been shown to be specific for a family of synthetic, orally active GHS. GHS are reliable provocative tests for the diagnosis of GH deficiency but, as orally active growth-promoting agents, they are not comparable with human recombinant GH in terms of efficacy. The usefulness of GHS in anabolic, anti-ageing drug intervention in the somatopause is still unclear. GHS also act on central and peripheral receptors and show other actions, including an orexigenic effect, an influence on gastroentero-pancreatic functions, and cardiovascular and anti-proliferative effects. Ghrelin mediates the neuroendocrine and metabolic response to starvation. Taking into account its orexigenic effect, GHS analogues acting as agonists or antagonists on appetite could represent a new drug intervention for eating disorders.
