Ghrelin Actions on Somatotropic and Gonadotropic Function in Humans.

Ghrelin, a 28 amino-acid octanoylated peptide predominantly produced by the stomach, was discovered to be the natural ligand of the type 1a GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). It was thus considered as a natural GHS additional to GHRH, although later on ghrelin has mostly been considered a major orexigenic factor. The GH-releasing action of ghrelin takes place both directly on pituitary cells and through modulation of GHRH from the hypothalamus; some functional antisomatostatin action has also been shown.

Neuroendocrine and metabolic activities of ghrelin gene products.

Acylated ghrelin (AG) is a 28 amino acid gastric peptide a natural ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a), endowed with GH-secreting and orexigenic properties. Besides, ghrelin exerts several peripheral metabolic actions, including modulation of glucose homeostasis and stimulation of adipogenesis. Notably, AG administration causes hyperglycemia in rodents as in humans.

Atlas of the muscle motor points for the lower limb: implications for electrical stimulation procedures and electrode positioning.

The aim of the study was to investigate the uniformity of the muscle motor point location for lower limb muscles in healthy subjects. Fifty-three subjects of both genders (age range: 18-50 years) were recruited. The muscle motor points were identified for the following ten muscles of the lower limb (dominant side): vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis of the quadriceps femoris, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus of the hamstring muscles, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, lateral and medial gastrocnemius.

Role of the decreased nitric oxide bioavailability in the vascular complications of diabetes mellitus.

This mini-review takes into consideration the physiology, synthesis and mechanisms of action of the nitric oxide (NO) and, subsequently, the causes and effects of the NO bioavailability impairment. In diabetes mellitus the reduced NO bioavailability is caused by the increased free radicals production, secondary to hyperglycemia. The reactive oxygen species oxidize the cofactors of the nitric oxide synthase, diminishing their active forms and consequently leading to a decreased NO production.