Ghrelin, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2004 Endocrine Updates Series, Vol. 23

Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid acylated peptide predominantly produced by the stomach. It displays strong GH-releasing activity mediated by the hypothalamus-pituitary GH secretagogue (GHS)-receptors specific for synthetic GHS. Ghrelin also acts on other central and peripheral receptors and enables other actions including: stimulation of lactotroph and corticotroph secretion, food-intake, gastro-entero-pancreatic functions, metabolic, cardiovascular activity, and anti-proliferative effects. This volume aims to highlight the impact and function of the hormone ghrelin and provide insight to neuroendocrinologies and researchers interested in its molecular and clinical relevance. Exemplifying the rapid advance of science, the discovery of GHRELIN a few short years ago has already profoundly influenced our understanding of growth, appetite and nutrition biology as well as clinical insights into obesity, growth and reproductive pathogenesis. Accordingly, the editor, a pioneer in clinical ghrelin investigation, has assembled an expert team of authors who bring cutting edge anExemplifying the rapid advance of science, the discovery of GHRELIN a few short years ago has already profoundly influenced our understanding of growth, appetite and nutrition biology as well as clinical insights into obesity, growth and reproductive pathogenesis. Accordingly, the editor, a pioneer in clinical ghrelin investigation, has assembled an expert team of authors who bring cutting edge and comprehensive basic and clinical knowledge to the reader. This volume will be of interest to endocrinologists, nutritionists, internists, and pediatricians. Clearly, the volume will be of special interest to neurophysiologists, who now find themselves in the midst of a new world of nutritional control! Shlomo Melmed, M.D. Series Editor Endocrine Updatesd comprehensive basic and clinical knowledge to the reader. This volume will be of interest to endocrinologists, nutritionists, internists, and pediatricians. Clearly, the volume will be of special interest to neurophysiologists, who now find themselves in the midst of a new world of nutritional control.

Historical Milestones.- Discovery of Ghrelin, an Endogenous Ligand for the Growth-Hormone Secret Agogue Receptor.- Known and Unknown Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptors and their Ligands.- Ghrelin: A New Link Between the Neuroendocrine Control of the GH Axis, Food Intake and Sleep.- Growth Hormone Releasing Activity of Ghrelin.- Non-Growth Hormone Endocrine Actions of Ghrelin.- Ghrelin Food Intake and Energy Balance.- Cardiovascular Activities of Ghrelin and Synthetic GHS.- Ghrelin: Central Actions and Potential Implications in Neurodegenerative Diseases.- Ghrelin and Tumors.- Metabolic Actions of Ghrelin.- Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic Actions of Ghrelin.- A New Interaction to Come: Ghrelin and Steroid Hormones.- Circulating Ghrelin Levels in Pathophysiological Conditions.- Ghrelin Measurement: Present and Perspectives.- Ghrelin: Implications in Pediatric Endocrinology.- Ghrelin and its Analogues: Perspectives for a Story of Reverse Pharmacology.

Aims to highlight the impact and function of the hormone ghrelin and provide insight to neuroendocrinologists and researchers interested in its molecular and clinical relevance