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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood
Published on: April 28, 2016
Influence of ghrelin on food intake and energy homeostasis
Carine De Vriese1, Christine Delporte
1Laboratory of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Purpose Of Review:
The purpose of this review is to provide updated information on the role of ghrelin in food intake and energy homeostasis, and on its mechanism of action. Moreover, the potential of ghrelin as a target for drugs to treat cachexia and obesity will be discussed.
Recent Findings:
Whereas the effects of ghrelin in the regulation of appetite, food intake and energy homeostasis have been fairly well documented, the pathways responsible for the effects of ghrelin are now increasingly being understood. As a consequence, clinical applications of ghrelin are now being developed.
Summary:
Ghrelin is an endogenous orexigenic peptide recently discovered in the stomach. Ghrelin is involved in short-term regulation of food intake since its plasma levels increase before meals and decrease strongly postprandially. Ghrelin is also involved in long-term body-weight regulation by inducing adiposity. Ghrelin might be useful for cachexia and obesity treatment.
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