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. )

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

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

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Science Daily

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."

From Science Daily