Central and peripheral activities of ghrelin, a ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.

Ghrelin, a 28 amino-acid acylated peptide predominantly produced by the stomach, displays strong GH-releasing activity mediated by the hypothalamus-pituitary GH secretagogues (GHS) receptors which had been shown specific for a family of synthetic, orally active GHS. GHS also act on central and peripheral receptors and show other actions including an orexigenic effect, influence on gastro-entero-pancreatic functions, cardiovascular and anti-proliferative effects. Ghrelin manages the neuroendocrine and metabolic response to starvation. Taking into account its orexigenic effect, GHS analogues acting as agonists or antagonists on appetite could represent new drug intervention in eating disorders.