Ghrelin News and Research

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Ghrelin is a hormone produced mainly by P/D1 cells lining the fundus of the human stomach and epsilon cells of the pancreas that stimulates appetite. Ghrelin levels increase before meals and decrease after meals. It is considered the counterpart of the hormone leptin, produced by adipose tissue, which induces satiation when present at higher levels. Ghrelin is also produced in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus where it stimulates the secretion of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland.

Increased SIRT1 protein can delay delay aging, extend lifespan

Researchers watched two groups of mice, both nearing the end of a two-day fast. One group was quietly huddled together, but the other group was active and alert. The difference? The second set of mice had been engineered so their brains produced more SIRT1, a protein known to play a role in aging and longevity.

29 Jul 2010

Tranzyme reports positive results from TZP-102 Phase 2 study in diabetic patients with gastroparesis

Tranzyme Pharma announced positive top-line results today from a Phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating TZP-102 capsules in diabetic patients with gastroparesis, a serious disorder characterized by the inability of the stomach to empty food efficiently. The study achieved a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in critical gastroparesis-related symptoms. All three TZP-102 doses tested were effective, safe and well tolerated.

29 Jun 2010

Hunger hormone ghrelin heightens the appeal of high-calorie foods over low-calorie foods: Study

The "hunger" hormone ghrelin, which acts in the brain to stimulate hunger and increase food intake, heightens the appeal of high-calorie foods over low-calorie foods, according to a study that will be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego.

22 Jun 2010

Positive preclinical data on Aeterna Zentaris' AEZS-130/Ghrelin Receptor Agonist presented at ENDO meeting

Aeterna Zentaris Inc., a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrine therapy, today announced that a poster on its oral synthetic growth hormone secretagogue/ghrelin receptor agonist, AEZS-130, was presented yesterday at the 92nd Annual Endocrine Society (ENDO) Meeting and Expo, which is held through June 22, 2010 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

21 Jun 2010

Norgine to develop and commercialize Tranzyme's ulimorelin ghrelin agonist

Tranzyme Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, and Norgine B.V., a European specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that they have entered into a licensing agreement that provides Norgine with the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Tranzyme's novel ghrelin agonist, ulimorelin (TZP-101), in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, South Africa and North Africa. Ulimorelin is entering Phase 3 development for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysmotility conditions in acute care settings.

16 Jun 2010

Aeterna Zentaris to present poster on AEZS-130 growth hormone secretagogue/ghrelin receptor agonist at 92nd ENDO

Aeterna Zentaris Inc. a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrine therapy, today announced that a poster on its oral synthetic growth hormone secretagogue/ghrelin receptor agonist, AEZS-130, will be presented at the upcoming 92nd Annual Endocrine Society (ENDO) Meeting and Expo, which will be held June 19 through 22, 2010 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

15 Jun 2010

Hunger-signaling hormone ghrelin regulates circulation of cholesterol in brain

Circulation of cholesterol is regulated in the brain by the hunger-signaling hormone ghrelin, researchers say. The finding points to a new potential target for the pharmacologic control of cholesterol levels.

7 Jun 2010

Tranzyme Pharma to present data on prokinetic agent TZP-101 in GI recovery at ASCRS 2010

Tranzyme Pharma today announced that Philippa Charlton, MD, Tranzyme's Medical Director, and her colleagues G. Bochicchio, J.C. Pezullo, G. Kosutic, and A. Senagore, will present a poster entitled "The Prokinetic Agent TZP-101 (a Ghrelin Agonist) Accelerates GI Recovery in Partial Colectomy Patients Independently of Total Opioid Use and Type of Surgery" at the upcoming 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS; Minneapolis, May 15-19).

17 May 2010

Ipsen's first-quarter 2010 drug sales up 6.2%

Ipsen reported today its sales for the first quarter 2010.

3 May 2010

Dietary protein for overall health

The importance of high-quality protein foods in overall health was among the topics discussed this week at Experimental Biology 2010 in Anaheim, Calif. Researchers from a variety of institutions discussed studies that looked at varying levels of dietary protein intake to promote health throughout life including the role of protein in weight loss and muscle maintenance.

3 May 2010

Laughter is truly the best medicine says new research

A new study has shown that laughter may be one of the simplest exercises that has similar effects on the body as pumping iron in the gym. Researchers have named “Laughercise” as significant elevators of mood, stress busters, immunity boosters and blood pressure and cholesterol reducers. It can also stimulate appetite for the malnourished.

28 Apr 2010

Laughter increases production of antibodies and activates body's protective cells

Laughter is a highly complex process. Joyous or mirthful laughter is considered a positive stress (eustress) that involves complicated brain activities leading to a positive effect on health. Norman Cousins first suggested the idea that humor and the associated laughter can benefit a person's health in the 1970s. His ground-breaking work, as a layperson diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, documented his use of laughter in treating himself—with medical approval and oversight—into remission.

27 Apr 2010

Eating protein-rich eggs for breakfast reduces hunger, decreases calorie consumption throughout the day

A new study demonstrates that eating protein-rich eggs for breakfast reduces hunger and decreases calorie consumption at lunch and throughout the day. The study, published in the February issue of Nutrition Research, found that men who consumed an egg-based breakfast ate significantly fewer calories when offered an unlimited lunch buffet compared to when they ate a carbohydrate-rich bagel breakfast of equal calories.

7 Apr 2010

Hormone ghrelin may improve appetite in gastric cancer patients

In gastric cancer patients who have had part or all of their stomach removed, the hormone ghrelin may lessen post-operative weight loss and improve appetite, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute.

1 Apr 2010

Tranzyme Pharma's ulimorelin Phase 2 trial data selected for presentation at DDW 2010

Tranzyme Pharma announced today that data from the Phase 2 clinical trial of ulimorelin (TZP-101) for the treatment of severe gastroparesis have been selected for an oral presentation at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010 being held May 1-5, 2010 in New Orleans, LA.

12 Mar 2010

Ipsen grants Rhythm exclusive global license for melanocortin and ghrelin programs

Ipsen, a global biotechnology specialty care group, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company developing peptide therapeutics for metabolic diseases, announced today that they have concluded a license agreement for Ipsen’s proprietary peptide therapeutics targeting obesity, metabolic diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders.

12 Mar 2010

Study shows ghrelin prevents acute liver damage, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation

Spanish researchers determined that rats treated with recombinant ghrelin displayed a reduction in liver fibrosis. Ghrelin, a stomach hormone, reduced the amount of fibrogenic cells by 25% in the treated rodents. Research further showed ghrelin prevented acute liver damage and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the animal models.

1 Mar 2010

10th Annual Spring Meeting of ESC on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professionals

Geneva, situated at the heart of Europe, provides a fitting setting for the 10th Annual Spring Meeting of the European Society of Cardiology Council (ESC) on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professionals (CCNAP), 12 - 13 March 2010, with its special theme: "Uniting to Improve Cardiovascular Practice".

11 Feb 2010

USAN approves generic name "ulimorelin" for Tranzyme Pharma's TZP-101

Tranzyme Pharma today announced that the United States Adopted Name Council (USAN) has approved the generic name “ulimorelin” for Tranzyme’s novel, late-stage, prokinetic agent TZP-101. Ulimorelin, if approved, is expected to be a first-in-class drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility indications in acute care (hospital-based) settings.

27 Jan 2010

Phase 1 clinical trial of SIRT1 inhibitor for the treatment of Huntington’s Disease commenced

Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that its partner, Siena Biotech S.p.A., has commenced Phase 1 clinical testing of Elixir’s potent, first-in-class SIRT1 (sirtuin-1) inhibitor for the treatment of Huntington’s Disease.

8 Jan 2010