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The Role of Ghrelin in the Control of Energy Balance

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Appetite Control

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 209))

Abstract

Ghrelin is the only potent orexigenic peptide in circulation. It stimulates food intake and leads to positive energy balance, adipogenesis, and body weight gain. However, the physiological significance of ghrelin in the regulation of energy homeostasis is controversial, since loss of ghrelin function in rodents does not necessarily lead to anorexia and weight loss. In this chapter, we discuss the metabolic function of ghrelin and are highlighting recent findings including the discovery and function of ghrelin-acylating enzyme ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT). Based on available published data, we conclude that ghrelin is a principally important endogenous regulator of energy balance, which however may affect both food intake and systemic metabolism via independent mechanisms. Importantly, ghrelin, when acylated by GOAT, might represent a key molecular link between the sensing of consumed calories and the neuroendocrine control of energy homeostasis. Thus, agents antagonizing the action of ghrelin may have therapeutic potential in the therapy of obesity.

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Abbreviations

AgRP:

Agouti-related protein

AMPK:

5′ AMP-activated protein kinase

BW:

Body weight

CNS:

Central nervous system

CoA:

Coenzyme A

Dap:

Diaminopropionic acid

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay

FE:

Food efficiency

FI:

Food intake

GH:

Growth hormone

GHRH:

Growth hormone–releasing hormone

GHSR-1a:

Growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a

GI:

Gastrointestinal

GOAT:

Ghrelin O-acyltransferase

HFD:

High-fat diet

KO:

Knockout

MBOAT4:

Membrane-bound O-acyltransferase 4

MCFA:

Medium-chain fatty acids

MCT:

Medium-chain triglycerides

mRNA:

Messenger ribonucleic acid

NPY:

Neuropeptide Y

POMC:

Pro-opiomelanocortin

RYGB:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

UCP2:

Uncoupling protein 2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases Institute, Obesity Research Center, University of Cincinnati, 2180 E. Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 54237, USA

    Henriette Kirchner & Kristy M. Heppner

  2. Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases Institute, Obesity Research Center, University of Cincinnati, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Center Munich, 2180 E. Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 54237, USA

    Matthias H. Tschöp

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  1. Henriette Kirchner
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  2. Kristy M. Heppner
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  3. Matthias H. Tschöp
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Correspondence to Matthias H. Tschöp .

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  1. , Department of Pharmacology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, Nuthetal, 14558, Germany

    Hans-Georg Joost

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Kirchner, H., Heppner, K.M., Tschöp, M.H. (2012). The Role of Ghrelin in the Control of Energy Balance. In: Joost, HG. (eds) Appetite Control. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 209. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-24716-3_7

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