Ghrelin: a novel peptide for growth hormone release and feeding regulation

A novel peptide hormone, ghrelin, has been identified from the stomach and recognized as an important regulator of growth hormone release and energy homeostasis. It is interesting to note that the stomach may play an important role in not only digestion but also pituitary growth hormone release and central feeding regulation. Thus, we summarize the recent findings on the mechanism of these effects induced by ghrelin.

The coadministration of ghrelin and growth hormone releasing hormone was found to have a synergistical effect on pituitary growth hormone secretion. The infusion of growth hormone releasing hormone in rats resulted in a significant increase in pituitary gene expression of ghrelin and its receptor system, suggesting that this system in the pituitary gland could modulate the regulation of growth hormone secretion by growth hormone releasing hormone. Ghrelin promoted the production of orexigenic neuropeptides (neuropeptide Y and agouti-related protein) in the hypothalamic arcuate nuclei and activated the neurons which produce these orexigenic neuropeptides, resulting in an increase in feeding and body weight. Gastric acid release and pancreatic protein secretions were also regulated by ghrelin through vagal and intrapancreatic neuronal activation, respectively. It is possible that ghrelin may participate in the regulation of cell proliferation, glucose homeostasis, and the immune system.

Ghrelin, secreted from the stomach, modulates growth hormone release and feeding promotion. Further elucidation of the mechanisms of ghrelin effects will help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders and disturbed conditions of nutritional homeostasis.