Ghrelin - wikipedia Ghrelin GHRL Available structures PDB Ortholog search : PDBe RCSB List of PDB id codes 1P7X Identifiers Aliases GHRL, MTLRP, ghrelin / obestatin prepropeptide, ghrelin and obestatin prepropeptide External IDs MGI : 1930008 HomoloGene : 9487 GeneCards : GHRL Gene location ( Human ) Chr. Chromosome 3 ( human ) Band 3p25. 3 Start 10,285,675 bp End 10,292,947 bp Gene location ( Mouse ) Chr. Chromosome 6 ( mouse ) Band 6 E3 6 52.84 cM Start 113,716,119 bp End 113,719,880 bp Gene ontology Molecular function protein tyrosine kinase activator activity hormone activity protein binding ghrelin receptor binding G - protein coupled receptor binding growth hormone - releasing hormone activity Cellular component postsynapse cytoplasm endoplasmic reticulum lumen extracellular region axon secretory granule lumen extracellular space Biological process positive regulation of appetite negative regulation of interleukin - 6 biosynthetic process G - protein coupled receptor signaling pathway positive regulation of cortisol secretion positive regulation of growth hormone receptor signaling pathway negative regulation of insulin secretion gastric acid secretion positive regulation of cytosolic calcium ion concentration dendrite development regulation of response to food negative regulation of energy homeostasis negative regulation of apoptotic process positive regulation of corticotropin secretion negative regulation of locomotion cortisol secretion response to estrogen negative regulation of endothelial cell proliferation positive regulation of circadian sleep / wake cycle, non-REM sleep negative regulation of tumor necrosis factor biosynthetic process cartilage development activation of MAPK activity decidualization regulation of cell proliferation growth hormone secretion positive regulation of energy homeostasis positive regulation of growth hormone secretion excitatory postsynaptic potential hormone - mediated signaling pathway glucose metabolic process positive regulation of multicellular organism growth negative regulation of angiogenesis response to hormone actin polymerization or depolymerization positive regulation of response to food negative regulation of circadian sleep / wake cycle, REM sleep negative regulation of inflammatory response positive regulation of insulin secretion positive regulation of synapse assembly positive regulation of protein tyrosine kinase activity adult feeding behavior response to nutrient levels positive regulation of eating behavior positive regulation of adipose tissue development negative regulation of interleukin - 1 beta production gastric emptying positive regulation of insulin secretion involved in cellular response to glucose stimulus positive regulation of growth response to electrical stimulus regulation of transmission of nerve impulse positive regulation of bone development positive regulation of sprouting angiogenesis positive regulation of gastro - intestinal system smooth muscle contraction positive regulation of small intestine smooth muscle contraction negative regulation of tumor necrosis factor secretion regulation of gastric motility positive regulation of vascular endothelial cell proliferation positive regulation of growth rate positive regulation of small intestinal transit positive regulation of gastric mucosal blood circulation positive regulation of feeding behavior regulation of receptor activity Sources : Amigo / QuickGO Orthologs Species Human Mouse Entrez 51738 58991 Ensembl ENSG00000157017 ENSMUSG00000064177 UniProt Q9UBU3 Q9EQX0 RefSeq ( mRNA ) NM_001134941 NM_001134944 NM_001134945 NM_001134946 NM_001302821 NM_001302822 NM_001302823 NM_001302824 NM_001302825 NM_016362 NM_021488 NM_001286404 NM_001286405 NM_001286406 RefSeq ( protein ) NP_001128413 NP_001128416 NP_001128417 NP_001128418 NP_001289750 NP_001289751 NP_001289752 NP_001289753 NP_001289754 NP_057446 NP_001273333 NP_001273334 NP_001273335 NP_067463 Location ( UCSC ) Chr 3 : 10.29 -- 10.29 Mb Chr 3 : 113.72 -- 113.72 Mb PubMed search Wikidata View / Edit Human View / Edit Mouse Ghrelin ( pronounced / ˈɡrɛlɪn / ), the `` hunger hormone '', also known as lenomorelin ( INN ), is a peptide hormone produced by ghrelinergic cells in the gastrointestinal tract which functions as a neuropeptide in the central nervous system. Besides regulating appetite, ghrelin also plays a significant role in regulating the distribution and rate of use of energy. When the stomach is empty, ghrelin is absorbed. When the stomach is stretched, secretion stops. It acts on hypothalamic brain cells both to increase hunger, and to increase gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motility to prepare the body for food intake. The receptor for ghrelin, the ghrelin / growth hormone secretagogue receptor ( GHS - R ), is found on the same cells in the brain as the receptor for leptin, the satiety hormone that has opposite effects from ghrelin. Ghrelin also plays an important role in regulating reward perception in dopamine neurons that link the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens ( a site that plays a role in processing sexual desire, reward, and reinforcement, and in developing addictions ) through its colocalized receptors and interaction with dopamine and acetylcholine. Ghrelin is encoded by the GHRL gene and is presumably produced from the cleavage of the prepropeptide ghrelin / obestatin. Full - length preproghrelin is homologous to promotilin and both are members of the motilin family. Unlike the case of many other endogenous peptides, ghrelin is able to cross the blood - brain - barrier, giving exogenously - administered ghrelin unique clinical potential. Contents 1 History and name 2 Gene, transcription products, and structure 3 Ghrelin cells 3.1 Alternative names 3.2 Location 3.3 Features 4 Function and mechanism of action 5 Blood levels 6 Ghrelin receptor 7 Locations of action 7.1 Gastrointestinal tract 7.2 Pancreas 7.3 Glucose metabolism 7.4 Nervous system 7.4. 1 Learning and memory 7.4. 2 Depression 7.4. 3 Sleep duration 7.4. 4 Stress - induced fear 7.4. 5 Substantia nigra function 7.5 Reproductive system 7.6 Fetus and neonate 8 Immune system 9 Anorexia and obesity 10 Disease management 10.1 Gastric bypass surgery 10.2 Medical management of obesity 11 Aging 12 Future clinical uses 13 See also 14 Notes 15 References History and name Ghrelin was discovered after the ghrelin receptor ( called growth hormone secretagogue type 1A receptor or GHS - R ) was discovered in 1996 and was reported in 1999. The hormone name is based on its role as a growth hormone - releasing peptide, with reference to the Proto - Indo - European root ghre -, meaning `` to grow ''. Gene, transcription products, and structure Preproghrelin ( green and blue ) and ghrelin ( green ). The GHRL gene produces mRNA which has four exons. Five products arise : the first is the 117 - amino acid preproghrelin. ( It is homologous to promotilin ; both are members of the motilin family ). It is cleaved to produce proghrelin which is cleaved to produce a 28 - amino acid ghrelin ( unacylated ) and C - ghrelin ( acylated ). Obestatin is presumed to be cleaved from C - ghrelin. Ghrelin only becomes active when caprylic ( octanoic ) acid is linked posttranslationally to serine at the 3 - position by the enzyme ghrelin O - acyltransferase ( GOAT ). It is located on the cell membrane of ghrelin cells in the stomach and pancreas. The non-octanoylated form is desacyl ghrelin. It does not activate the GHS - R receptor but does have other effects : cardiac, anti-ghrelin, appetite stimulation, and inhibition of hepatic glucose output Side - chains other than octanoyl have also been observed : these can also trigger the ghrelin receptor. In particular, decanoyl ghrelin has been found to constitute a significant portion of circulating ghrelin in mice, but as of 2011 its presence in humans has not been established. Ghrelin cells Alternative names The ghrelin cell is also known as an A-like cell ( pancreas ), X-cell ( for unknown function ), X / A-like cell ( rats ), Epsilon cell ( pancreas ), P / D sub 1 cell ( humans ) and Gr cell ( abbreviation for ghrelin cell ). Location Ghrelin cells are found mainly in the stomach and duodenum, but also in the jejunum, lungs, pancreatic islets, gonads, adrenal cortex, placenta, and kidney. It has recently been shown that ghrelin is produced locally in the brain Features Ghrelin cells are found in oxyntic glands ( 20 % of cells ), pyloric glands, and small intestine. They are ovoid cells with granules. They have gastrin receptors. Some produce nesfatin - 1. Ghrelin cells are not terminally differentiated in the pancreas : they are progenitor cells that can give rise to A-cells, PP cells and Beta - cells there. Function and mechanism of action Ghrelin is a participant in regulating the complex process of energy homeostasis which adjusts both energy input -- by adjusting hunger signals -- and energy output -- by adjusting the proportion of energy going to ATP production, fat storage, glycogen storage, and short - term heat loss. The net result of these processes is reflected in body weight, and is under continuous monitoring and adjustment based on metabolic signals and needs. At any given moment in time, it may be in equilibrium or disequilibrium. Gastric - brain communication is an essential part of energy homeostasis, and several communication pathways are probable, including the gastric intracellular mTOR / S6K1 pathway mediating the interaction among ghrelin, nesfatin and endocannabinoid gastric systems, and both afferent and efferent vagal signals. Ghrelin and synthetic ghrelin mimetics ( growth hormone secretagogues ) increase body weight and fat mass by triggering receptors in the arcuate nucleus that include the orexigenic neuropeptide Y ( NPY ) and agouti - related protein ( AgRP ) neurons. Ghrelin - responsiveness of these neurons is both leptin - and insulin - sensitive. Ghrelin reduces the mechanosensitivity of gastric vagal afferents, so they are less sensitive to gastric distension. In addition to its function in energy homeostasis, ghrelin also activates the cholinergic -- dopaminergic reward link in inputs to the ventral tegmental area and in the mesolimbic pathway, a circuit that communicates the hedonic and reinforcing aspects of natural rewards, such as food and addictive drugs such as ethanol. Ghrelin receptors are located on neurons in this circuit. Hypothalamic ghrelin signalling is required for reward from alcohol and palatable / rewarding foods. Ghrelin also improves endothelial function and inhibits proatherogenic changes in cell cultures. It activates the endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase in a pathway that depends on various kinases including Akt. Ghrelin has been linked to inducing appetite and feeding behaviors. Circulating ghrelin levels are the highest right before a meal and the lowest right after. Injections of ghrelin in both humans and rats have been shown to increase food intake in a dose - dependent manner. So the more ghrelin that is injected the more food that is consumed. However, ghrelin does not increase meal size, only meal number. Ghrelin injections also increase an animal 's motivation to seek out food, behaviors including increased sniffing, foraging for food, and hoarding food. Body weight is regulated through energy balance, the amount of energy taken in versus the amount of energy expended over an extended period of time. Studies have shown that ghrelin levels are negatively correlated with weight. This data suggests that ghrelin functions as an adiposity signal, a messenger between the body 's energy stores and the brain. Blood levels Blood levels are in the pmol / l range. Both active and total ghrelin can be measured. Circulating ghrelin concentrations rise before eating and fall afterward, more strongly in response to protein and carbohydrate than to lipids. Ghrelin receptor The ghrelin receptor GHS - R1a ( a splice - variant of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, with the GHS - R1b splice being inactive ) is involved in mediating a wide variety of biological effects of ghrelin, including : stimulation of growth hormone release, increase in hunger, modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, regulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretion, protection of neuronal and cardiovascular cells, and regulation of immune function. They are present in high density in the hypothalamus and pituitary, on the vagus nerve ( on both afferent cell bodies and afferent nerve endings ) and throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Locations of action Gastrointestinal tract Ghrelin promotes intestinal cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis during inflammatory states and oxidative stress. It also suppresses pro-inflammatory mechanisms and augments anti-inflammatory mechanisms, thus creating a possibility of its therapeutic use in various gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions, including colitis, ischemia reperfusion injury, and sepsis. Animal models of colitis, ischemia reperfusion, and sepsis - related gut dysfunction have been shown to benefit from therapeutic doses of ghrelin. It has also been shown to have regenerative capacity and is beneficial in mucosal injury to the stomach. Ghrelin promotes gastrointestinal and pancreatic malignancy. Pancreas Ghrelin inhibits glucose - stimulated insulin secretion from beta cells in the pancreatic islets. Ghrelin does this indirectly by promoting local negative feedback mediated by somatostatin from pancreatic delta cells, which selectively express the ghrelin receptor. Glucose Metabolism. The entire ghrelin system ( dAG, AG, GHS - R and GOAT ) has a gluco - regulatory action. Nervous system Learning and memory The hippocampus plays a significant role in neurotrophy : the cognitive adaptation to changing environments and the process of learning and it is a potent stimulator of growth hormone. Animal models indicate that ghrelin may enter the hippocampus from the bloodstream, altering nerve - cell connections, and so altering learning and memory. It is suggested that learning may be best during the day and when the stomach is empty, since ghrelin levels are higher at these times. A similar effect on human memory performance is possible. In rodents, X / A-like cells produce ghrelin. Depression Ghrelin knock - out mice ( who never express ghrelin ) have increased anxiety in response to a variety of stressors, such as acute restraint stress and social stress in experimental settings. In normal mice, ghrelin can stimulate the hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal axis, from the anterior pituitary. Ghrelin has been shown to have implications for depression prevention. Antidepressant - like attributes were demonstrated when mice with high levels of ghrelin and mice with the ghrelin gene knocked out underwent social defeat stress and then were placed in the forced swim tank. Mice with elevated ghrelin swam more than ghrelin deficient mice. These ghrelin - deficient mice exhibited more social avoidance as well. These mice did not exhibit depression - like behaviors when injected with a commonly prescribed antidepressant, suggesting that ghrelin acts as a short - term natural adaptation against depression. Sleep duration Short sleep duration is associated with high levels of ghrelin and obesity. An inverse relationship between the hours of sleep and blood plasma concentrations of ghrelin exists ; as the hours of sleep increase, ghrelin levels trend lower and obesity is less likely. Stress - induced fear Prior stress exposure heightens fear learning during Pavlovian fear conditioning. Stress - related increases in ghrelin circulation were shown to be necessary and sufficient for stress to increase fear learning. Ghrelin was found to be upregulated by stress even in the absence of adrenal hormones. Blocking the ghrelin receptor during stress abolished stress - related enhancement of fear memory without blunting other markers of stress. These results suggest that ghrelin is a novel branch of the stress response. Human studies are needed to translate the use of anti-ghrelin treatments to prevent stress - induced psychiatric disorders. Substantia nigra function Ghrelin, through its receptor increases the concentration of dopamine in the substantia nigra. Reproductive system Ghrelin has inhibitory effects on gonadotropin - releasing hormone ( GnRH ) secretion. It may cause decreased fertility. Fetus and neonate Ghrelin is produced early by the fetal lung and promotes lung growth. Cord blood levels of active and total ghrelin show a correlation between ghrelin levels and birth weight. Immune system Ghrelin gene products have several actions on acute and chronic inflammation and autoimmunity, with promising therapeutic applications. Anorexia and obesity Ghrelin levels in the plasma of obese individuals are lower than those in leaner individuals, suggesting that ghrelin does not contribute to obesity, except in the cases of Prader - Willi syndrome - induced obesity, where high ghrelin levels are correlated with increased food intake. However, it is also found that consumption of food for pleasure increased peripheral levels of both ghrelin and the endocannabinoid 2 - arachidonoyl - glycerol ( 2 - AG ) in healthy humans, and this hedonic eating influences food intake and, ultimately, body mass. Those with anorexia nervosa have high plasma levels of ghrelin compared to both the constitutionally thin and normal - weight controls. The level of ghrelin increases during the time of day from midnight to dawn in thinner people, which suggests there is a flaw in the circadian rhythm of obese individuals. Ghrelin levels reflect release in a circadian rhythm which can be interrupted by exposure to light at night. Short sleep duration may also lead to obesity, through an increase of appetite via hormonal changes. Lack of sleep increases ghrelin, and decreases leptin, both effects producing increased hunger and obesity. Ghrelin levels are high in patients with cancer - induced cachexia. Disease management Gastric bypass surgery Gastric bypass surgery not only reduces the gut 's capacity for food but also dramatically lowers ghrelin levels compared to both lean controls and those that lost weight through dieting alone. However, studies are conflicting as to whether or not ghrelin levels return to nearly normal with gastric bypass patients in the long term after weight loss has stabilized. Bariatric surgeries involving vertical sleeve gastrectomy reduce plasma ghrelin levels by about 60 % in the long term. Medical management of obesity Ghrelin is not FDA approved for any indication. In rodents and pigs, an anti-obesity vaccine has been developed : it blocks the ghrelin receptor. Aging Ghrelin plasma concentration increases with age and this may contribute to the tendency for weight gain as people age. Future Clinical uses Synthetic ghrelin administration for cachexia of any cause and for hemodialysis patients is being investigated. Ghrelin suppresses seizures in animal models and is being investigated. Ghrelin is a gastric pro-kinetic and may be useful in the treatment of gastroparesis. See also Hypothalamic -- pituitary -- somatic axis List of growth hormone secretagogues Notes ^ a It is important to note that the full mechanism of ghrelin secretion and reduction has not been fully realized, e.g. `` this finding appears to discount gastric distention as a mechanism for ghrelin reduction ''. References ^ Jump up to : GRCh38 : Ensembl release 89 : ENSG00000157017 - Ensembl, May 2017 ^ Jump up to : GRCm38 : Ensembl release 89 : ENSMUSG00000064177 - Ensembl, May 2017 Jump up ^ `` Human PubMed Reference : ''. Jump up ^ `` Mouse PubMed Reference : ''. Jump up ^ Sakata I, Sakai T ( 2010 ). `` Ghrelin cells in the gastrointestinal tract ''. International Journal of Peptides. 2010 : 1 -- 7. doi : 10.1155 / 2010 / 945056. PMC 2925405. PMID 20798855. Jump up ^ Inui A, Asakawa A, Bowers CY, Mantovani G, Laviano A, Meguid MM, Fujimiya M ( March 2004 ). `` Ghrelin, appetite, and gastric motility : the emerging role of the stomach as an endocrine organ ''. 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PMID 12023994. Jump up ^ Cummings DE, Shannon MH ( July 2003 ). `` Ghrelin and gastric bypass : is there a hormonal contribution to surgical weight loss ? ''. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 88 ( 7 ) : 2999 -- 3002. doi : 10.1210 / jc. 2003 - 030705. PMID 12843132. Jump up ^ Bohdjalian A, Langer FB, Shakeri - Leidenmühler S, Gfrerer L, Ludvik B, Zacherl J, Prager G ( May 2010 ). `` Sleeve gastrectomy as sole and definitive bariatric procedure : 5 - year results for weight loss and ghrelin ''. Obesity Surgery. 20 ( 5 ) : 535 -- 40. doi : 10.1007 / s11695 - 009 - 0066 - 6. PMID 20094819. Jump up ^ Zorrilla EP, Iwasaki S, Moss JA, Chang J, Otsuji J, Inoue K, Meijler MM, Janda KD ( August 2006 ). `` Vaccination against weight gain ''. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 103 ( 35 ) : 13226 -- 31. Bibcode : 2006PNAS... 10313226Z. doi : 10.1073 / pnas. 0605376103. PMC 1559781. PMID 16891413. Lay summary -- The Scripps Research Institute. Jump up ^ Vizcarra JA, Kirby JD, Kim SK, Galyean ML ( August 2007 ). `` Active immunization against ghrelin decreases weight gain and alters plasma concentrations of growth hormone in growing pigs ''. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 33 ( 2 ) : 176 -- 89. doi : 10.1016 / j. domaniend. 2006.05. 005. PMID 16793235. Jump up ^ Cummings DE, Purnell JQ, Frayo RS, Schmidova K, Wisse BE, Weigle DS ( August 2001 ). `` A preprandial rise in plasma ghrelin levels suggests a role in meal initiation in humans ''. Diabetes. 50 ( 8 ) : 1714 -- 19. doi : 10.2337 / diabetes. 50.8. 1714. PMID 11473029. Jump up ^ Karasu SR, Karasu TB ( 2010 ). The gravity of weight : a clinical guide to weight loss and maintenance ( 1st ed. ). Washington, DC : American Psychiatric Publishing. p. 162. ISBN 978 - 1585623600. 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Hormones Endocrine glands Hypothalamic - pituitary Hypothalamus GnRH TRH Dopamine CRH GHRH Somatostatin ( GHIH ) MCH Posterior pituitary Oxytocin Vasopressin Anterior pituitary FSH LH TSH Prolactin POMC CLIP ACTH MSH Endorphins Lipotropin GH Adrenal axis Adrenal cortex aldosterone cortisol cortisone DHEA DHEA - S androstenedione Adrenal medulla epinephrine norepinephrine Thyroid Thyroid hormone Calcitonin Thyroid axis Parathyroid PTH Gonadal axis Testis testosterone AMH inhibin Ovary estradiol progesterone activin and inhibin relaxin Placenta hCG HPL estrogen progesterone Pancreas glucagon insulin amylin somatostatin pancreatic polypeptide Pineal gland melatonin N, N - dimethyltryptamine 5 - methoxy - N, N - dimethyltryptamine Other Thymus Thymosins Thymosin α1 Beta thymosins Thymopoietin Thymulin Digestive system Stomach gastrin ghrelin Duodenum CCK Incretins GIP GLP - 1 secretin motilin VIP Ileum enteroglucagon peptide YY Liver / other Insulin - like growth factor IGF - 1 IGF - 2 Adipose tissue leptin adiponectin resistin Skeleton Osteocalcin Kidney renin EPO calcitriol prostaglandin Heart Natriuretic peptide ANP BNP Peptides : neuropeptides Hormones see hormones Opioid peptides Dynorphins Dynorphin A Dynorphin A Dynorphin B Big dynorphin Leumorphin α - Neoendorphin β - Neoendorphin Endomorphins Endomorphin - 1 Endomorphin - 2 Endorphins α - Endorphin β - Endorphin γ - Endorphin Enkephalins Met - enkephalin Leu - enkephalin Others Adrenorphin Amidorphin Hemorphin Hemorphin - 4 Nociceptin Opiorphin Spinorphin Valorphin Other neuropeptides Kinins Bradykinins Tachykinins : mammal Substance P Neurokinin A Neurokinin B amphibian Kassinin Physalaemin Neuromedins U Orexins Other Angiotensin Bombesin Calcitonin gene - related peptide Carnosine Cocaine - and amphetamine - regulated transcript Delta sleep - inducing peptide FMRFamide Galanin Galanin - like peptide Gastrin releasing peptide Ghrelin Neuropeptide AF Neuropeptide FF Neuropeptide SF Neuropeptide VF Neuropeptide S Neuropeptide Y Neurophysins Neurotensin Pancreatic polypeptide Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide RVD - Hpα VGF Appetite stimulants ( A15 ) Exogenous Amitriptyline Clonidine Cyproheptadine Dexamethasone Dronabinol / Tetrahydrocannabinol ( Cannabis ) Medroxyprogesterone acetate Megestrol acetate Mirtazapine Nabilone Nandrolone Olanzapine Omega - 3 fatty acid Oxandrolone Pentoxifylline Prednisone Sugars Testosterone Thalidomide Endogenous ACTH / Corticotropin Adiponectin Agouti - related peptide Anandamide Cortisol / Hydrocortisone Cortisone Ghrelin Melanin - concentrating hormone Melatonin Neuropeptide Y Orexin / Hypocretin GH / IGF - 1 axis signaling modulators GH ( somatotropin ) Agonists : Albusomatropin Bovine somatotropin Efpegsomatropin Growth hormone Human placental lactogen Placental growth hormone ( growth hormone variant ) Somagrebove Somapacitan Somatosalm Somatotropin Somatropin pegol Somatrem Sometribove Somatrogon ( MOD - 4023 ; hGH - CTP ) Somavaratan Somavubove Somidobove Antagonists : G120K - hGH Pegvisomant Antisense oligonucleotides : Atesidorsen Binding proteins : GHBP GHIH ( somatostatin ) Agonists : BIM - 23052 CH - 275 Cortistatin - 14 Depreotide Edotreotide Ilatreotide L - 803,087 L - 817,818 Lanreotide NNC 26 - 9100 Octreotate Octreotide Pasireotide Pentetreotide RC - 160 Seglitide Somatostatin ( GHIH ) Somatostatin ( 1 - 28 ) SRIF - 14 SRIF - 28 TT - 232 Vapreotide Veldoreotide Antagonists : BIM - 23056 Cyclosomatostatin CYN - 154806 Satoreotide GHRH ( somatocrinin ) Agonists : Peptide : ALRN - 5281 CJC - 1295 Dumorelin GHRH Modified GRF ( 1 - 29 ) Rismorelin Sermorelin Somatorelin Tesamorelin Antagonists : MZ - 5 - 156 GHS ( ghrelin ) Agonists : Peptide : Alexamorelin Cortistatin - 14 EP - 51216 Examorelin ( hexarelin ) Ghrelin GHRP - 1 GHRP - 3 GHRP - 4 GHRP - 5 GHRP - 6 Ipamorelin Lenomorelin LY - 444711 Pralmorelin ( GHRP - 2 ) Relamorelin Tabimorelin Ulimorelin ; Non-peptide : Adenosine Anamorelin Capromorelin CP - 464709 Ibutamoren ( MK - 677 ) L - 692,585 Macimorelin SM - 130686 ; Unsorted : LY - 426410 LY - 444711 Antagonists : A-778193 Cortistatin - 8 ( D - Lys3 ) - GHRP - 6 JMV2959 YIL - 781 IGF - 1 ( somatomedin ) See here instead. See also : Receptor / signaling modulators Signaling peptide / protein receptor modulators Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ghrelin&oldid=825851061 '' Categories : Genes on human chromosome 3 Appetite stimulants Neuropeptides Obesity Peptide hormones Hormones of the somatotropic axis Ghrelin receptor agonists Growth hormone secretagogues World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited substances Hidden categories : Pages with DOIs inactive since 2017 Use dmy dates from March 2016 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Čeština Deutsch ދިވެހިބަސް Ελληνικά Español فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Հայերեն Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Română Русский Slovenščina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська Edit links This page was last edited on 15 February 2018, at 20 : 03. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. 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Question: which hormone plays a significant role in appetite stimulation
Answer: Ghrelin