human ghrelin

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone produced primarily in the stomach and released into the bloodstream. It is best known as the "hunger hormone" due to its potent stimulation of appetite and food intake. Ghrelin acts on the hypothalamus in the brain to increase hunger signals and also stimulates growth hormone (GH) release from the pituitary gland via activation of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). Beyond appetite regulation, ghrelin plays roles in energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism (by inhibiting insulin secretion and promoting gluconeogenesis), fat storage promotion, cardiovascular protection (anti-inflammatory effects and improved heart failure outcomes), muscle preservation (prevents atrophy), bone formation modulation, immune system regulation (promotes anti-inflammatory cytokines), stress response modulation via HPA axis effects, reproductive function inhibition through suppression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion, circadian rhythm regulation, memory/stress pathways in the brain, and potential involvement in cancer development/metastasis. Human recombinant or synthetic forms of ghrelin have been administered intravenously or subcutaneously for research purposes; pharmacokinetic studies show rapid clearance with a short half-life (~10–30 minutes). Clinical trials have explored its use for conditions such as cachexia but it is not an approved pharmaceutical product[2][6][9][8].

Brand names

Clinalfa

Other names

ghrelinlenomorelinacylated ghrelinunacylated ghrelin