Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
Published on: November 30, 2016
Ghrelin and its potential in the treatment of eating/wasting disorders and cachexia
Timo D Müller1, Diego Perez-Tilve, Jenny Tong
1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Metabolic Diseases Institute, Cincinnati, OH USA.
Abstract:
The gastrointestinal "hunger" hormone ghrelin is the only known circulating peripheral molecule with the ability to decrease body fat utilization and to increase body weight gain. Accordingly, due to ghrelin's effects to promote food intake while decreasing energy expenditure ghrelin may offer potential as a drug for treatment of eating/wasting disorders and cachexia. Therapeutic potential of ghrelin and ghrelin analogues to promote food intake and body weight gain was recently indicated in several clinical studies. The recent discovery of the ghrelin O-acyltransferase as the key enzyme responsible for ghrelin acylation has further deepened our understanding of ghrelin activation, thereby paving the way for more efficient targeting of the ghrelin pathway. Here, we summarize the current knowledge pertaining to the potential of the endogenous ghrelin system as a drug target for the treatment of eating/wasting disorders and cachexia.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Food Intake
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Binge Eating Disorders
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Bulimia Nervosa
