Central and Peripheral Roles of Ghrelin on Glucose Homeostasis

Vol. 86, No. 3, 2007

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 479 KB)

Paper

Central and Peripheral Roles of Ghrelin on Glucose Homeostasis
Yuxiang Sun^{a, b}, Mark Asnicar^{a, b}, Roy G. Smith^a-c

^aHuffington Center on Aging,
^bDepartment of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and
^cDepartment of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuroendocrinology 2007;86:215-228 (DOI: 10.1159/000109094)

Key Words

Ghrelin
GHS-R
Pancreas
Diabetes
Glucose homeostasis
Insulin resistance
Leptin

Abstract

Ghrelin, an acylated 28-amino-acid peptide, is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue type 1a (GHS-R1a). Ghrelin is best known for its hypothalamic actions on growth hormone-releasing hormone neurons and neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide neurons; however, ghrelin affects multiple organ systems and the complexity of its functions is only now being realized. Although ghrelin is mainly produced in the stomach, it is also produced in low levels by the hypothalamus and by most peripheral tissues. GHS-R1a is expressed predominantly in the anterior pituitary gland, at lower levels in the brain including hypothalamic neurons that regulate feeding behavior and glucose sensing, and at even lower levels in the pancreas. A reciprocal relationship exists between ghrelin and insulin, suggesting that ghrelin regulates glucose homeostasis. Ablation of ghrelin in mice increases glucose-induced insulin secretion, and improves peripheral insulin sensitivity. This review focuses on the newly emerging role of ghrelin in glucose homeostasis and exploration of whether ghrelin is a potential therapeutic target for diabetes.

Author Contacts

Yuxiang Sun
Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza, M320, Houston, TX 77030 (USA)
Tel. +1 713 798 3837, Fax +1 713 798 1610
E-Mail yuxiangs@bcm.tmc.edu

Article Information

Received: November 13, 2006
Accepted after revision: November 27, 2006
Published online: September 26, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 14
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 95

Medline Abstract (ID 17898534)

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