Ghrelin receptor signalling
Activation of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a can stimulate pituitary growth hormone release and may also influence appetite, gastrointestinal function and neuroendocrine signalling.
Biological pathway
GHS-R1a agonism → Gq-linked intracellular signalling in hypothalamic and pituitary cells → growth hormone secretion, with ligand-specific effects on appetite and other hormones.
Evidence summary
Human pharmacology supports growth hormone release after several synthetic secretagogues, although clinical outcome evidence is limited and molecule-specific.
Limitations
Peptides linked to this mechanism
Ipamorelin is an investigational peptide, analogue or research construct with evidence ranging from mechanistic studies to limited human trials.
GHRP-6 is an investigational peptide, analogue or research construct with evidence ranging from mechanistic studies to limited human trials.
Obestatin is an endogenous signalling peptide with physiological relevance; therapeutic administration remains molecule- and indication-specific.
Ghrelin is an endogenous peptide with established physiological or receptor-level biology; therapeutic administration and indications are molecule-specific.
Hexarelin is an investigational peptide, analogue or research construct with evidence ranging from mechanistic studies to limited human trials.
GHRP-2 is an investigational peptide, analogue or research construct with evidence ranging from mechanistic studies to limited human trials.