Ghrelin

Abstract

Promoting neuromuscular recovery after neural injury is a major clinical issue. While techniques for nerve reconstruction are continuously improving and most peripheral nerve lesions can be repaired today, recovery of the lost function is usually unsatisfactory. This evidence claims for innovative nonsurgical therapeutic strategies that can implement the outcome after neural repair. Although no pharmacological approach for improving posttraumatic neuromuscular recovery has still entered clinical practice, various molecules are explored in experimental models of neural repair. One of such molecules is the circulating peptide hormone ghrelin. This hormone has proved to have a positive effect on neural repair after central nervous system lesion, and very recently its effectiveness has also been demonstrated in preventing posttraumatic skeletal muscle atrophy. By contrast, no information is still available about its effectiveness on peripheral nerve regeneration although preliminary data from our laboratory suggest that this molecule can have an effect also in promoting axonal regeneration after nerve injury and repair. Should this be confirmed, ghrelin might represent an ideal candidate as a therapeutic agent for improving posttraumatic neuromuscular recovery because of its putative effects at all the various structural levels involved in this regeneration process, namely, the central nervous system, the peripheral nerve, and the target skeletal muscle.

Antifibrotic Activity of Acylated and Unacylated Ghrelin

“…The acylated form, through high affinity binding to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR-1a), induces GH release and promotes food intake, adiposity, and positive energy balance [ 11 – 13 ]. Alongside its role in feeding and energy homeostasis, ghrelin exerts also many other biological activities, including cardioprotection and enhancement of cardiac function [ 14 ], a strong anti-inflammatory activity [ 15 ], antioxidant activity on several cell types and tissues such as liver, heart, and lung [ 16 – 19 ], and neuroprotective activities [ 20 ]. The acylated ghrelin anti-inflammatory function mainly depends on its direct effect on T lymphocytes and monocytes, in which it inhibits the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 β , IL-6, and TNF- α [ 21 ].…”

Human eyelid adipose tissue-derived Schwann cells promote regeneration of a transected sciatic nerve

“…The denervated gastrocnemius muscles were atrophied and subsequently regained innervation after nerve regeneration49. The gastrocnemius muscle wet weight ratio was relatively higher in the hE-SCs/P2 group than in the other three groups, and the collagen fiber percentage was significantly lower in the hE-SCs/P2 group than in the other three groups.…”