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.

Weight loss success linked to amount of sleep: Study

A new study released Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that sleeping may help one to lose fat. The study compared two groups of people who were trying to lose weight. One group was assigned to sleep 5.5 hours each night for two weeks, while the other was able to sleep 8.5 hours. The scientists found that the sleep deprived people had higher levels of ghrelin. It may be this hormone that drives appetite that leads to excess eating, believe researchers.

6 Oct 2010

Inadequate sleep reduces benefits of dieting

Cutting back on sleep reduces the benefits of dieting, according to a study published October 5, 2010, in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

5 Oct 2010

NIH announces T-R01 project award to examine human microbiome

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced today that Martin J. Blaser, MD, the Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center has been awarded one of only twenty NIH Director's Transformative Research Projects (T-R01) award for research entitled "Disappearing Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Epidemic Obesity.

4 Oct 2010

Scientists discover simple molecular test to block GOAT enzyme

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have designed a new molecular test that will allow researchers to look for potential drugs targeting a human metabolic enzyme believed to stimulate the appetite and play a role in diabetes.

17 Sep 2010

Study results may point way to effective weight loss maintenance

Many people have experienced the frustration that comes with regaining weight that was lost from dieting. According to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), the levels of appetite hormones in the body prior to dieting may serve as a predictor of weight regain after dieting.

9 Sep 2010

Lack of sleep likely to develop diabetes, heart disease: Research

People who sleep less than six hours a night may be three times more likely to develop a condition which leads to diabetes and heart disease, according to researchers at the University of Warwick.

8 Sep 2010

Short sleep duration associated with elevated risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke

People who sleep less than six hours a night may be three times more likely to develop a condition which leads to diabetes and heart disease, according to researchers at the University of Warwick.

7 Sep 2010

Achievement of sufficient night sleep needed in obesity prevention and weight-management programs

A study in the Sept. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that teens who slept less than eight hours per weeknight ate higher proportions of fatty foods and snacks than adolescents who slept eight hours or more. The results suggest that short sleep duration may increase obesity risk by causing small changes in eating patterns that cumulatively alter energy balance, especially in girls.

2 Sep 2010

Ipsen 2010 first half revenue increases to €31.7 million

The Board of Directors of Ipsen, chaired by Jean-Luc Bélingard, met on August 30, 2010 to review the Group's results for the first half 2010, published today

31 Aug 2010

Tranzyme Pharma to present ulimorelin Phase 2 data at NGM Meeting

Tranzyme Pharma announced today that John Wo, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Clinical Research, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, will present ulimorelin Phase 2 data at this year's Joint International NGM Meeting on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

25 Aug 2010

Sleep deprivation and chronic disease

Sleep experts believe that sleep deprivation and inadequate sleep is becoming frightfully common and it can be bad for health in more ways than one. According to Harvard School of Medicine's Healthy Sleep site there is a real link between chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and depression and chronic lack of sleep.

24 Aug 2010

Aeterna Zentaris second-quarter revenues decrease to $5.6 million

Aeterna Zentaris Inc., a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrinology, today reported financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

12 Aug 2010

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