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Updated: May 27, 2026

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood
Published on: April 28, 2016
Neuroendocrine and metabolic activities of ghrelin gene products
Alessandra Baragli1, Fabio Lanfranco, Stefano Allasia
1Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. alessandra.baragli@unito.it
Abstract:
Acylated ghrelin (AG) is a 28 amino acid gastric peptide a natural ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a), endowed with GH-secreting and orexigenic properties. Besides, ghrelin exerts several peripheral metabolic actions, including modulation of glucose homeostasis and stimulation of adipogenesis. Notably, AG administration causes hyperglycemia in rodents as in humans. Ghrelin pleiotropy is supported by a widespread expression of the ghrelin gene, of GHS-R1a and other unknown ghrelin binding sites. The existence of alternative receptors for AG, of several natural ligands for GHS-R1a and of acylation-independent ghrelin non-neuroendocrine activities, suggests that there might be a complex 'ghrelin system' not yet completely explored. Moreover, the patho-physiological implications of unacylated ghrelin (UAG), and obestatin (Ob), the other two ghrelin gene-derived peptides, need to be clarified. Within the next few years, we may better understand the 'ghrelin system', where we might envisage clinical applications.
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