Regulation of peripheral tissue substrate metabolism by the gut-derived hormone ghrelin

Ghrelin increases in the circulation prior to entrained mealtimes, with the acylated (AG) form functioning to stimulate food intake and growth hormone release. Acutely, AG induces whole-body insulin resistance, potentially to maintain glycemia between meals. Alternatively, chronic administration of both AG and the unacylated isoform of ghrelin (unAG) is associated with improved skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity as well as reduced intramuscular lipids and inflammation. This may be due to effects on lipid metabolism, with ghrelin promoting storage of fat in adipose and liver while stimulating oxidation in skeletal muscle, preventing ectopic lipid accumulation. This is of specific relevance in the handling of meal-derived lipids, as ghrelin rises preprandially with effects persisting for 2–3 h following exposure in skeletal muscle, coinciding with elevated plasma FFAs. We hypothesize that ghrelin acts as a preparatory signal for incoming lipids, as well as a regulatory hormone for their use and storage. The effects of ghrelin on skeletal muscle are lost with high fat diet feeding and physical inactivity, potentially being implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease. This review summarizes the metabolic effects of both ghrelin isoforms on peripheral tissues including the pancreas, adipose, liver, and skeletal muscle. Additionally, we speculate on the physiological relevance of these effects in vivo and suggest that ghrelin may be a key regulatory hormone for nutrient handling in the postprandial state.