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. 2011 Jan 15;2(1):1-7.
doi: 10.4239/wjd.v2.i1.1.

Relationship between gut and sepsis: Role of ghrelin

Undurti N Das  1
Affiliations

Relationship between gut and sepsis: Role of ghrelin

Undurti N Das. World J Diabetes. .

Abstract

Ghrelin is a growth hormone secretagogue produced by the gut, and is expressed in the hypothalamus and other tissues as well. Ghrelin not only plays an important role in the regulation of appetite, energy balance and glucose homeostasis, but also shows anti-bacterial activity, suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production and restores gut barrier function. In experimental animals, ghrelin has shown significant beneficial actions in preventing mortality from sepsis. In the critically ill, corticosteroid insufficiency as a result of dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is known to occur. It is therefore possible that both gut and hypothalamus play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis by virtue of their ability to produce ghrelin, which, in turn, could be a protective phenomenon to suppress inflammation. It remains to be seen whether ghrelin and its analogues are of benefit in treating patients with sepsis.

Keywords: Critically ill; Cytokines; Ghrelin; Inflammation; Insulin; Sepsis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scheme showing various actions of ghrelin and their possible clinical importance. Ghrelin seems to be of benefit in suppressing inflammation and sepsis; protects against ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial damage; protects lungs from sepsis-induced damage, enhances appetite, relieves depression and enhances learning and memory. GH: growth hormone; CNS: central nervous system.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Scheme showing the actions of ghrelin that are relevant to its potential benefit in sepsis. CRH: corticotropin-releasing hormone; ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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