ghrelin

American  

[grel-in] / ˈgrɛl ɪn /

noun

Biochemistry

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

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ghrelin British  

/ ˈɡrɛlɪn /

noun

1. a hormone produced in the body that stimulates appetite

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Etymology

Origin of ghrelin

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. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ghrelin

In a parallel study these researchers conducted on 20 men, it was shown that fizzy water also increased their ghrelin levels.

From Salon ● Jan. 29, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2024

Levels of the “hunger hormone” ghrelin, produced in the stomach, rise before meals to signal hunger, then fall quickly after eating and stay low for about three hours.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 27, 2023

The scientists achieved this result again by removing the receptors for the hunger hormone ghrelin from these neurons.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 16, 2023

Also, a majority of the stomach that secretes ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is removed in sleeve gastrectomies.

From New York Times ● Oct. 31, 2023

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