Ghrelin secretion reduction

Ghrelin secretion reduction" refers to any intervention aimed at lowering circulating levels of the peptide hormone *ghrelin*, which is primarily produced by X/A-like cells in the stomach. Ghrelin acts via its receptor—the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (*GHSR1a*), a G protein-coupled receptor—to stimulate appetite (“hunger hormone”), promote food intake, regulate energy balance, induce pituitary growth hormone release, modulate glucose metabolism and gastrointestinal motility among other functions[1][2][4][8]. Therapeutic interest exists around reducing endogenous ghrelin production/secretion as an anti-obesity strategy; however, this approach does not correspond to targeting one discrete molecular entity but rather involves modulating complex regulatory networks controlling *ghrl* gene expression/peptide processing/acylation/secretion from gastric cells. Thus “ghrelin secretion reduction” should be considered an outcome/process—not itself a canonical drug target.

Inhibition of hormone biosynthesis/secretion