Ghrelin in gastrointestinal disease

Enteroendocrine cells of the gastric fundus are the predominant source of ghrelin production, although ghrelin gene transcripts and ghrelin-producing cells have been identified throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Various infectious, inflammatory and malignant disorders of the gastrointestinal system have been shown to alter ghrelin production and secretion and consequently to affect endocrine ghrelin levels and activity. Animal studies have demonstrated that ghrelin and synthetic ghrelin mimetics can reduce the severity of gastric and colonic inflammation and human clinical trials are underway to determine the efficacy of ghrelin in improving motility disorders. This review summarises the impact of gastrointestinal disease on ghrelin synthesis and secretion and the potential use of ghrelin and its mimetics for the treatment of these diseases.