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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood
Published on: April 28, 2016
Drug insight: The functions of ghrelin and its potential as a multitherapeutic hormone
Masayasu Kojima1, Kenji Kangawa
1Institute of Life Science, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. mkojima@lsi.kurume-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
The endogenous ligand for the growth-hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor was purified from stomach and named ghrelin. It has potent GH-releasing activity and stimulates appetite by acting on the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, a region known to control food intake. Ghrelin thus plays important roles in maintaining GH release and energy homeostasis in vertebrates. Ghrelin, moreover, stimulates gastric motility and acid secretion, shows positive cardiovascular effects, and has direct actions on bone formation. The diverse functions of ghrelin raise the possibility of its clinical application for GH deficiency, eating disorders, gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and aging.
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