Ghrelin Gene Products in Acute and Chronic Inflammation

Abstract

Ghrelin gene products-the peptides ghrelin, unacylated ghrelin, and obestatin-have several actions on the immune system, opening new perspectives within neuroendocrinology, metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence regarding the less known role of these peptides in the machinery of inflammation and autoimmunity, outlining some of their most promising therapeutic applications.

Pathophysiology of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…These anti-inflammatory properties of ghrelin prompt the ghrelin-GOAT system as a promising new target for the treatment of NASH [137]. AG can improve cardiac function by increasing cardiac output, ameliorating cardiac contractility, acting on cardiac remodeling, reducing pulmonary hypertension, reducing fatal arrhythmia after myocardial infarction and leading to vasodilation [139,147,148,149,150]. …”

Salivary, gingival crevicular fluid and serum levels of ghrelin and chemerin in patients with periodontitis and overweight

“…Nevertheless, desacyl ghrelin is involved in adipogenesis and certain immunomodulating properties have been reported for both desacyl and acylated ghrelin. Acylated ghrelin and, to a certain extent, also desacyl ghrelin, interfere with the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor‐α, and of the transcription factor nuclear factor‐kappaB . In addition, reduced levels of desacyl ghrelin were identified as a useful marker for predicting atherosclerosis .…”

“…Acylated ghrelin and, to a certain extent, also desacyl ghrelin, interfere with the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factorα, and of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB. 15 In addition, reduced levels of desacyl ghrelin were identified as a useful marker for predicting atherosclerosis. 16 Interestingly, elevated total and acylated ghrelin levels were found in the serum of patients with chronic periodontitis.…”

Ghrelin receptor modulates T helper cells during intestinal inflammation

“…9 Interestingly, in the last decade an unexpected immune-modulatory effect of ghrelin has been disclosed. 10 Systemic treatment with ghrelin has shown to reduce clinical severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), 11 to lower inflammation and to improve survival in a mouse model of acute lung injury. 12 Similarly, in a mouse model of gut ischemia-reperfusion injury, treatment with ghrelin decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced neutrophil infiltration, attenuated organ injury, and improved survival.…”