Role of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in the orexigenic effects of endogenous ghrelin

► Exogenous ghrelin was shown to stimulate food intake via the energy sensor AMPK and UCP2. ► Does a rise in endogenous ghrelin influence AMPK, pACC, UCP2 and NPY/AgRP through GHS-R? ► A rise in endogenous ghrelin stimulates NPY and AgRP in GHS-R+/+, not in GHS-R−/− mice. ► AMPK, pACC and UCP2 were not influenced by the genotype and change independently from GHS-R. ► AMPK and its downstream targets may not play a major role in the effect of endogenous ghrelin.