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Review
. 2017 Jul 12;18(7):1511.
doi: 10.3390/ijms18071511.

The Role of Ghrelin and Ghrelin Signaling in Aging

Marie Amitani  1   2 , Haruka Amitani  3 , Kai-Chun Cheng  4 , Timothy Sean Kairupan  5 , Nanami Sameshima  6 , Ippei Shimoshikiryo  7 , Kimiko Mizuma  8 , Natasya Trivena Rokot  9 , Yasuhito Nerome  10 , Tetsuhiro Owaki  11 , Akihiro Asakawa  12 , Akio Inui  13
Affiliations
Review

The Role of Ghrelin and Ghrelin Signaling in Aging

Marie Amitani et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

With our aging society, more people hope for a long and healthy life. In recent years, researchers have focused on healthy longevity factors. In particular, calorie restriction delays aging, reduces mortality, and extends life. Ghrelin, which is secreted during fasting, is well known as an orexigenic peptide. Because ghrelin is increased by caloric restriction, ghrelin may play an important role in the mechanism of longevity mediated by calorie restriction. In this review, we will discuss the role of orexigenic peptides with a particular focus on ghrelin. We conclude that the ghrelin-growth hormone secretagogue-R signaling pathway may play an important role in the anti-aging mechanism.

Keywords: calorie restriction; ghrelin; ghrelin agonist; ghrelin resistance; longevity.

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Conflict of interest statement

No author has relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CR increases the expression of hypothalamic AgRP and NPY and reduces the expression of POMC. NPY promotes autophagy in the hypothalamus. Ghrelin also affects the cardiovascular system, muscle, bone, and memory retention, as well as providing a neuroprotective effect, all of which result in an extended life span and anti-aging effects. CR: caloric restriction; AgRP: agouti-related protein; POMC: proopiomelanocortin; NPY: neuropeptide Y.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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