Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood
Published on: April 28, 2016
Should we consider des-acyl ghrelin as a separate hormone and if so, what does it do?
Patric J D Delhanty1, Sebastian J Neggers, Aart J van der Lely
1Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The peptides ghrelin (or acyl ghrelin; AG), des-acyl ghrelin (DAG) and obestatin are all encoded by the prepro-ghrelin gene that is expressed predominantly in the stomach. Compared with ghrelin and obestatin, DAG has not received a great amount of attention. DAG has long been considered an inert degradation product of AG. Recent evidence, however, indicates that DAG behaves like a separate hormone. Therefore, it is believed that DAG must activate its own receptor, and that it may also interact with AG at this receptor. DAG can act together with AG, can antagonize AG and seems to have AG-independent effects. Of potential clinical importance is that an increasing number of studies suggest that DAG is a functional inhibitor of AG. Therefore, DAG or DAG analogs are being trialed in early clinical studies for treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity and Prader-Willi syndrome.
More Related Videos
07:00Mechanisms Underlying Gut Hormone Secretion Using the Isolated Perfused Rat Small Intestine
Published on: February 26, 2019
09:16Mixed Primary Cultures of Murine Small Intestine Intended for the Study of Gut Hormone Secretion and Live Cell Imaging of Enteroendocrine Cells
Published on: April 20, 2017
Related Concept Videos
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...
Hormonal Regulation
Regulation of Food Intake
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
GPCR Desensitization
Regulation of Hormone Secretion
Humoral...