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Ghrelin and the endocrine pancreas
Fabio Broglio1, Cristina Gottero, Andrea Benso
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Ospedale Molinette, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126 Turin, Italy.
Endocrine
|November 12, 2003
Summary
Ghrelin, a stomach-produced peptide, regulates appetite and energy. The endocrine pancreas influences ghrelin secretion, impacting metabolic processes and body weight regulation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolism
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Ghrelin is a peptide hormone primarily produced in the stomach, acting as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a).
- Ghrelin influences GH secretion, appetite, energy expenditure, and has significant gastroenteropancreatic actions, with its activity dependent on acylation at serine 3.
- Circulating ghrelin levels are largely determined by gastric secretion, as evidenced by significant reductions post-gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted roles of ghrelin beyond GH secretion, focusing on its endocrine and nonendocrine actions.
- To investigate the relationship between ghrelin secretion, body weight, and metabolic status, including its association with obesity and anorexia.
- To elucidate the modulatory role of the endocrine pancreas in regulating ghrelin secretion.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ghrelin production, secretion, and physiological effects.
- Analysis of studies examining ghrelin levels in relation to body weight, feeding status, and metabolic conditions.
- Examination of the interplay between pancreatic hormones (somatostatin, cortistatin) and ghrelin secretion.
Main Results:
- Ghrelin secretion is inversely associated with body weight, increasing in anorexia/cachexia and decreasing in obesity, with exceptions like Prader-Willi syndrome.
- Fasting stimulates ghrelin secretion, while glucose load suppresses it; arginine and free fatty acid loads have less impact.
- Somatostatin and cortistatin from the endocrine pancreas significantly inhibit ghrelin secretion, suggesting a direct or indirect pancreatic role.
Conclusions:
- The endocrine pancreas plays a crucial role in modulating ghrelin secretion, directly or indirectly.
- Ghrelin's regulation is complex, involving interactions with body weight, feeding status, and pancreatic endocrine function.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for comprehending metabolic regulation and developing therapeutic strategies for weight-related disorders.