Therapeutic applications of ghrelin to cachexia utilizing its appetite-stimulating effect |
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Authors: | Akamizu Takashi Kangawa Kenji |
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Institution: | a The First Department of Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan b Ghrelin Research Project, Translational Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan c National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka 565-8565, Japan |
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Abstract: | Ghrelin, which is a natural ligand for the growth hormone (GH)-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), stimulates food intake in both animals and humans. Ghrelin is the only circulating hormone known to stimulate appetite in humans. Ghrelin also stimulates GH secretion and inhibits the production of anorectic proinflammatory cytokines. As GH is an anabolic hormone, protein stores are spared at the expense of fat during conditions of caloric restriction. Thus, ghrelin exhibits anti-cachectic actions via both GH-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Several studies are evaluating the efficacy of ghrelin in the treatment of cachexia caused by a variety of diseases, including congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and end-stage renal disease. These studies will hopefully lead to the development of novel therapeutic applications for ghrelin in the future. This review summarizes the recent advances in this area of research. |
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Keywords: | Anorexia Sarcopenia Catabolism Anabolism Growth hormone GHS |
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