Growth hormone-releasing hormone and growth hormone secretagogue-receptor ligands: focus on reproductive system

Endocrine
E ArvatRomano Deghenghi

Abstract

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin are the most important hypothalamic neurohormones controlling growth hormone (GH) secretion. Several neurotransmitters and neuropeptides also play an important role in the control of GH secretion, mainly acting via modulation of GHRH and somatostatin. In the past two decades, particular attention has been given to a new family of substances showing a strong GH-releasing effect: GH secretagogues (GHSs). GHSs increase GH secretion in a dose- and age-related manner after iv and even oral administration. The endocrine effects of GHSs, are not fully specific for GH; they show, in fact, prolactin- (PRL), adenocorticotropic hormone- and cortisol-releasing effects. Specific GHS receptors are present in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues, where they mediate several extraendocrine effects of GHSs. The isolation of these "orphan" receptors suggested the existence of an endogenous GHS-like ligand that could be represented by a recently discovered gastric peptide, named ghrelin. The interaction between GHSs and GHRH at the central level and in the pituitary gland, but not at peripheral level, has clearly been shown. Because GHRH and GHS receptors share the same loc...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 18, 2004·Journal of Endocrinological Investigation·F LanfrancoE Arvat
Dec 5, 2008·Journal of Molecular Neuroscience : MN·Juanjuan DongHong Jiang
Dec 10, 2009·Journal of Gastroenterology·Tomoaki MatsumuraOsamu Yokosuka
Jul 20, 2007·Reproduction : the Official Journal of the Society for the Study of Fertility·Rafael Fernández-FernándezLeonor Pinilla
Oct 19, 2006·World Journal of Urology·Stefan UckertChristian G Stief
Jul 10, 2021·Journal of Neuroendocrinology·Safia BibiKi Ann Goosens

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