Ghrelin: a novel player in the gut-brain regulation of growth hormone and energy balance.

Abstract

Ghrelin is a newly discovered peptide hormone produced by the stomach that displays potent growth hormone-releasing activity and a stimulatory effect on food intake and digestive function while reducing energy expenditure. The isolation of ghrelin has led to new insights into how this gastric hormone links the endocrine control of nutritional homeostasis with growth hormone secretion and gastrointestinal motility through gut-brain interactions.