A GHS-la Receptor Agonist that is Highly Effective in Stimulating Body Weight Gain

摘要

Ghrelin, a 28 amino acid octanoylated peptide, has been identified as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue (GHS) receptor. In addition to stimulating GH secretion, ghrelin increases food intake and induces body weight gain. Due to its unique biological effects on appetite and positive energy balance, ghrelin is considered as a viable target for developing therapeutic agents for the treatment of cachexic and anorexic disorders. In an effort to search for ghrelin analogs that are more suitable for therapeutic use, we have discovered a pentapeptide that has higher GHS-la receptor binding affinity and longer plasma half-life than human ghrelin (h-ghrelin).