ghrelin

[grel-in]

noun

Biochemistry

1. a peptide hormone, produced mostly in the stomach, that increases appetite by stimulating the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone.

ghrelin

/ ˈɡrɛlɪn /

noun

1. a hormone produced in the body that stimulates appetite

Word History and Origins

Origin of ghrelin¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; by shortening of g(rowth) h(ormone) ( def. ) + rel(easing factor) ( def. ) + -in ² ( def. ), with allusion to the Proto-Indo-European root and variants ghrē-, ghrō, ghrə-, “to grow, be green”; see grow ( def. ), green ( def. ), grass ( def. ), graze ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ghrelin¹

C20: from g ( rowth ) h ( ormone ) rel ( easing ) + _-in

Example Sentences

Research in rats that looked specifically at weight and appetite hormones found that sparkling water increased both weight and levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin.

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Two hormones regulate how full or hungry we feel – ghrelin triggers feelings of hunger, while leptin makes us feel full.

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That prompts the release of another hormone, ghrelin, that triggers feelings of hunger.

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Glucose and insulin levels were measured, as were ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 and pancreatic polypeptide -- hormones associated with the consumption of food.

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The study focused on the role of one molecule involved in how our bodies deal with hunger: the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHSR, which mediates the effect of ghrelin, known as the "hunger hormone."

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