Discovery and research progress of ghrelin

Ghrelin is a novel growth hormone-releasing acylated brain-gut peptide, consisting of 28 amino acids, discovered and isolated from stomach.Ghrelin stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH )through the binding with growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. The intensive results imply that ghrelin exists in brain and gastrointestinal tract, and that many other cells can secret ghrelin. Functionaly, ghrelin not only increase the GH release, but also is related to body growth , energy metabolism, endocrine, blood circulation and some diseases.