Ghrelin can bind to a species of high density lipoprotein associated with paraoxonase.

Ghrelin is a 28-residue peptide hormone that is principally released from the stomach during fasting and prior to eating. Two forms are present in human plasma: the unmodified peptide and a less abundant acylated version, in which octanoic acid is attached to the third residue, a serine, via an ester linkage. The acylated form of ghrelin acts as a ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and can stimulate the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland.

A cross-sectional study of the effects of hormon replacement therapy on the cardiovascular disease risk profile in healthy postmenopausal women.

Objective: To assess risk factors for cardiovascular disease in healthy postmenopausal women who had been uninterruptedly on menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for at least 5 years or who had not received any HRT.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: The Royal Free Hospital and The Middlesex Hospital.