Ghrelin signal attenuation is the physiological or pharmacological process of reducing the intensity or effect of the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin, often termed the “hunger hormone,” is primarily secreted by the stomach and signals a state of energy deficit to the brain. Attenuation aims to decrease the perceived level of hunger, thereby supporting a reduction in caloric intake and facilitating weight management efforts. This targeted approach seeks to normalize an overactive hunger drive that can sabotage adherence to dietary protocols.
Origin
The term combines ‘ghrelin,’ a name derived from its role as a Growth Hormone-releasing peptide, with ‘attenuation,’ which comes from the Latin attenuare, meaning to make thin or weaken. The understanding of ghrelin as the sole circulating orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) hormone provided a clear target for appetite management strategies. Attenuation reflects the goal of dampening its potent signal.
Mechanism
Ghrelin’s primary action is to bind to its receptor, the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHSR), located on specific neurons in the hypothalamus, particularly the Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons. Attenuation can be achieved through various means, such as the post-meal suppression of ghrelin secretion, which naturally occurs following nutrient ingestion. Pharmacological interventions may involve developing antagonists that block the GHSR, or lifestyle changes like high-protein meals that naturally reduce its circulating levels, thereby diminishing the hunger signal transmitted to the brain.
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