Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of ghrelin

Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide hormone secreted into the systemic circulation predominantly by the X/A-like cells in the mucosa of the stomach. In addiction to central effects on food intake and growth hormone release, ghrelin has also important vascular and metabolic actions. Our laboratory has shown that administration of exogenous ghrelin acutely improves endothelial function by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and normalizing the alterate balance between endothelin 1/nitric oxide (ET-1/NO) within the vasculature of individuals with metabolic syndrome. Additionally, in endothelial cell cultures, it has been shown that ghrelin directly stimulates NO production using a signaling pathway that involves GHSR-1a, PI 3-kinase, Akt, and eNOS. Other cardiovascular effects of ghrelin include lowering of peripheral resistance, improvement of contractility and cardiac output. In addition ghrelin plays a significant role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles and body composition. Importantly, ghrelin has antinflammatory and antiapoptotic effects both in vivo and in vitro. This review focuses on the physiological roles of ghrelin in regulating metabolic and endothelial function and on the potential of ghrelin as the therapeutic target to treat metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.