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Ghrelin in the Regulation of GH Secretion and Other Pituitary Hormones

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Growth Hormone Related Diseases and Therapy

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

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Abstract

Ghrelin, a 28 amino acid octanoylated peptide predominantly produced by the stomach, was discovered to be the natural ligand of the type 1a growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). Thus, it was considered as a natural GHS additional to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), although later on ghrelin has mostly been considered a major orexigenic factor. Ghrelin activity at the pituitary level is not fully specific for GH, because it also includes stimulatory effects on both the lactotroph and corticotroph system. In fact, ghrelin in humans significantly stimulates prolactin (PRL) secretion, independently of both gender and age and probably involving a direct action on somatomammotroph cells, and possesses an acute stimulatory effect on the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is similar to that of the opioid antagonist naloxone, arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and even corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Finally, ghrelin plays a relevant role in the modulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis function, with a predominantly central nervous system (CNS)-mediated inhibitory effect upon the gonadotropin pulsatility both in animals and in humans. Overall, ghrelin is a pleiotropic hormone with a wide spectrum of biological actions. Further studies are required to gain insights into the exact mechanisms involved in ghrelin physiology and pathophysiology and to define the potential therapeutic roles, if any, of ghrelin and its analogs.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Italian Ministry of University and Scientific Research (PRIN 2007, Protocol 2007RFFFFN_004) to E. Ghigo.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126, Torino, Italy

    Fabio Lanfranco

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University of Turin, Torino, Italy

    Matteo Baldi, Giovanna Motta, Marco Alessandro Minetto, Filippa Marotta, Valentina Gasco & Ezio Ghigo

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  1. Fabio Lanfranco
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  2. Matteo Baldi
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  7. Ezio Ghigo
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Correspondence to Fabio Lanfranco .

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  1. Princess Alexandra Hospital &, The University of Queensland, Centres for Health Research, Ipswich Road Woolloongabba 199, Brisbane, 4102, Queensland, Australia

    Ken Ho

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Lanfranco, F. et al. (2011). Ghrelin in the Regulation of GH Secretion and Other Pituitary Hormones. In: Ho, K. (eds) Growth Hormone Related Diseases and Therapy. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-317-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-317-6_2

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