Ghrelin stimulates gastric emptying and hunger in normal-weight humans
Abstract
Context Ghrelin is produced primarily by enteroendocrine cells in the gastric mucosa and increases gastric emptying in patients with gastroparesis. Main objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of ghrelin on gastric emptying, appetite, and postprandial hormone secretion in normal volunteers. Design This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Subjects Subjects included normal human volunteers and patients with GH deficiency. Intervention Intervention included saline or ghrelin (10 pmol/kg.min) infusion for 180 min after intake of a radioactively labeled omelette (310 kcal) or GH substitution in GH-deficient patients. Main outcome measures Measures consisted of gastric empty-ing parameters and postprandial plasma levels of ghrelin, cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY, and motilin. Results The emptying rate was significantly faster for ghrelin (1.26 +/- 0.1% per minute), compared with saline (0.83% per minute) (P Conclusion Our results demonstrate that ghrelin increases the gastric emptying rate in normal humans. The effect does not seem to be mediated via GH or motilin but may be mediated by the vagal nerve or directly on ghrelin receptors in the stomach. Ghrelin receptor agonists may have a role as prokinetic agents.
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Reduced concentrations of active ghrelin can be associated with slower rate of gastric emptying.
“On the other hand, reduced concentrations of active ghrelin can be associated with slower rate of gastric emptying (Levin et al., 2006).”
From Thyroid disorders and gastrointestinal dysmotility: an old association (2024) · cites this paper as Levin et al., 2006
Ghrelin has been associated with enhanced rate of gastric emptying.
“Ghrelin has been associated with enhanced rate of gastric emptying (Levin et al., 2006; Cheung and Wu, 2013).”
From Thyroid disorders and gastrointestinal dysmotility: an old association (2024) · cites this paper as Levin et al., 2006
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- Authors
- Levin, F., Edholm, T., Schmidt, P. T., Grybäck, P., Jacobsson, H., Degerblad, M., Höybye, C., Holst, J. J., Rehfeld, J. F., Hellström, P. M., & Näslund, E.
- Affiliations
- Danderyds sjukhus (SE)
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (T.E., P.T.S., P.M.H.) SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Nuclear Medicine (P.G., H.J.) SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- Molecular Medicine and Surgery (M.D., C.H.), Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Division of Surgery (F.L., E.N.), Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, SE-182 88 Stockholm, Sweden
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 2006-09-01
- Volume
- 91
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 3296-3302
- ISSN
- 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7197
- OpenAlex
- W2022832699
- Cited by
- 313
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 9.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Keywords
- ghrelin, gastric emptying, appetite, hunger, growth hormone deficiency, cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY, motilin, postprandial hormone secretion, prokinetic agents, vagus nerve, ghrelin receptor agonist
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Cholecystokinin, Double-Blind Method, Female, Gastric Emptying, Gastric Mucosa, Humans, Hunger, Male, Middle Aged, Motilin, Stomach, Cross-Over Studies, Human Growth Hormone, Peptide YY, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Peptide Hormones, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1, Ghrelin, Receptors, Ghrelin
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