Endocrine Abstracts

Ghrelin, ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), was isolated from the stomach. Immunoreactive neurons were observed in the hypothalamic nuclei and the ependymal layer of the third ventricle. Lower amounts are produced in the small intestine, pancreas, liver, kidney, placenta, and pituitary. Receptors have widespread distribution in the body, mainly concentrated in the hypothalamus-pituitary unit.Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid peptide, has...