Ghrelin and its interactions with growth hormone, leptin and orexins: implications for the sleep-wake cycle and metabolism
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Updated: May 10, 2026

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings
Published on: June 13, 2025
Fabio García-García1, Enrique Juárez-Aguilar2, Juan Santiago-García3
1Laboratorio de Biología de Sueño, Departamento de Biomedicina, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico; Departamento de Biomedicina, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico.
Abstract:
Several studies have shown that ghrelin administration promotes wakefulness in rodents, while in human males it induces sleep but has no effect in women. Ghrelin also plays an important role in metabolism and appetite regulation, and as described in this review may participate in the energy balance during sleep. In this review, we summarize some of the effects induced by ghrelin administration on the sleep-wake cycle in relation to the effects of other hormones, such as growth hormone, leptin, and orexin. Finally we discuss the relationship between sleep deprivation, obesity and ghrelin secretion pattern.
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