The Open Circulation & Vascular Journal

2010, 3 : 17-29
Published online 2010 March 04. DOI: 10.2174/1874382601003010017
Publisher ID: TOCVJ-3-17

Diabetes, Ghrelin And Related Peptides: From Pathophysiology To Vasculopathy

Amândio Rocha-Sousa , Marta Tavares-Silva , Sofia Fonseca , Manuel Falcão , Fernando Falcão-Reis and Adelino F. Leite-Moreira
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

ABSTRACT

Ghrelin and obestatin are two different peptides originated from the same gene isolated in the stomach. Numerous actions have been described where these two peptides are implicated in metabolism, appetite regulation, glucose levels regulation, and a wide range of systemic effects. In this article, we summarize (1) the cellular receptors implicated in ghrelin and obestatin effects; (2) the role of ghrelin and obestatin in metabolism and appetite regulation; (3) their role in the glucose homeostasis regulation and its implication in diabetes patho-physiology; (5) the effects of ghrelin and obestatin in regulation of normal angiogenesis and (6) their possible role in the regulation of diabetes-induced pathologic angiogenesis.

Keywords:

Ghrelin, obestatin, diabetes pathophysiology, appetite regulation, peptides, diabetes vascular complications.