Ghrelin-Hunger Hormone

Abstract

Imbalances in energy metabolism can lead to complex disorders that are characterized by abnormal eating behaviour and body weight, namely cachexia and obesity. Both these disorders form two ends of a spectrum where in cachexia arises as a result of greater catabolic state and obesity results from chronic imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. A great deal of evidence suggests that a complex network of peripheral and hypothalamic signal contributes to the regulation of energy homeostasis. Ghrelin is one such signal playing on important role in regulation of food intake. Ghrelin is today predominantly viewed as a central modulator of energy homeostasis and is regarded by many as an attractive target for indications with impaired energy imbalance.