Ghrelin, a natural GH secretagogue produced by the stomach, induces hyperglycemia and reduces insulin secretion in humans

What Was Tested

This randomized controlled trial paper looks at Ghrelin.

Aim of the present study was to clarify whether ghrelin administration influences insulin and glucose levels in humans.

To this goal, the researchers compared the effects of ghrelin, hexarelin, a synthetic GHS, or placebo on insulin and glucose as well as on GH levels in 11 normal young volunteers (age [mean +/- SEM]: 28.5 +/- 3.1 yr; BMI: 22.2 +/- 0.9 Kg/m(2)).

Why It Was Studied

Ghrelin, a 28 amino acid gastric hormone is a natural ligand of the GH Secretagogue (GHS) receptor (GHS-R) and strongly stimulates GH secretion though, like synthetic GHS, it shows other endocrine and non-endocrine activities.

Placebo administration did not modify insulin and glucose levels.

Who Took Part

The study group was 11 volunteers.

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were adults, men only.

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a randomized and placebo-controlled study.

Because people in this Ghrelin study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

Some volunteers received a placebo instead of Ghrelin, giving a reference point.

What Was Measured

Placebo administration did not modify insulin and glucose levels.

PubMed files the paper under topics including Blood Glucose, Ghrelin, Human Growth Hormone, Insulin, Insulin Secretion, Oligopeptides and Peptide Hormones.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized and placebo-controlled study of Ghrelin in 11 volunteers.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2001 (The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Ghrelin compound page, all human trials.