Function of ghrelin and ghrelin receptors in the network regulation of gastric motility.

Numerous previous studies have demonstrated that ghrelin promotes gastric motility when administered peripherally. This effect appears to be regulatory but not directly stimulatory, and therefore may involve a number of complex mechanisms. In the periphery, ghrelin may affect gastric motility through intercellular networks among interstitial cells of Cajal, myenteric nerve cells and smooth muscle cells.