The majority of in vivo studies showed a null or inverse association of ghrelin with risk and progression of most cancers , suggesting that ghrelin/ghrelin-receptor agonist treatment may have a favorable safety profile to use for cancer cachexia .
Ghrelin is a hormone with multiple physiologic functions , including promotion of growth hormone release , stimulation of appetite and regulation of energy homeostasis .
Treatment with ghrelin/ghrelin-receptor agonists is a prospect i ve therapy for disease-related cachexia and malnutrition .
In vitro studies have shown high expression of ghrelin in cancer tissue , although its role including its impact in cancer risk and progression has not been established .
Effects of Ghrelin Administration on Left Ventricular Function, Exercise Capacity, and Muscle Wasting in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Background —Ghrelin is a novel growth hormone – releasing peptide that also induces vasodilation , inhibits sympathetic nerve activity , and stimulates feeding through growth hormone – independent mechanisms . We investigated the effects of ghrelin on left ventricular ( LV ) function , exercise capacity , and muscle wasting in patients with chronic heart failure ( CHF ) . Methods and Results —Human synthetic ghrelin ( 2 & mgr;g/kg twice a day ) was intravenously administered to 10 patients with CHF for 3 weeks . Echocardiography , cardiopulmonary exercise testing , dual x-ray absorptiometry , and blood sampling were performed before and after ghrelin therapy . A single administration of ghrelin elicited a marked increase in serum GH ( 25-fold ) . Three-week administration of ghrelin result ed in a significant decrease in plasma norepinephrine ( 1132±188 to 655±134 pg/mL ; P<0.001 ) . Ghrelin  increased LV ejection fraction ( 27±2 % to 31±2 % ; P<0.05 ) in association with an increase in LV mass and a decrease in LV end-systolic volume . Treatment with ghrelin  increased peak workload and peak oxygen consumption during exercise  . Ghrelin  improved muscle wasting , as indicated by increases in muscle strength and lean body mass . These parameters remained unchanged in 8 patients with CHF who did not receive ghrelin therapy . Conclusions —These preliminary results suggest that repeated administration of ghrelin improves LV function , exercise capacity , and muscle wasting in patients with CHF
The majority of in vivo studies showed a null or inverse association of ghrelin with risk and progression of most cancers , suggesting that ghrelin/ghrelin-receptor agonist treatment may have a favorable safety profile to use for cancer cachexia .
Ghrelin is a hormone with multiple physiologic functions , including promotion of growth hormone release , stimulation of appetite and regulation of energy homeostasis .
Treatment with ghrelin/ghrelin-receptor agonists is a prospect i ve therapy for disease-related cachexia and malnutrition .
In vitro studies have shown high expression of ghrelin in cancer tissue , although its role including its impact in cancer risk and progression has not been established .