Appetite Hormone Could Inhibit HCV-Related Fibrosis

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Appetite Hormone Could Inhibit HCV-Related Fibrosis

Ghrelin is mostly known as a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates the appetite. However, new research demonstrates that this hormone might have therapeutic value to those with Hepatitis C.

by Cutler, L.Ac.

A hormone normally found in the stomach is proving to be of great interest to the Hepatitis C community. Known as an appetite-stimulating hormone, ghrelin is regarded with disdain by dieters and overweight individuals. Interestingly, ghrelin has demonstrated the ability to minimize one of the greatest hazards of the Hepatitis C virus - liver fibrosis.

About GhrelinMade in the stomach, ghrelin levels rise when people are hungry and they wane after a meal. People who get injections of this hormone gorge themselves, and those suffering from a rare disease that keeps ghrelin levels unusually high tend to be obese overeaters. Not surprisingly, researchers seeking to help people shed excessive weight have been actively trying to block ghrelin since its recognition in the late '90s. Of course, blocking an essential hormone carries unknown risks to our health. For people with chronic liver disease, researchers from Spain have uncovered a valid reason to treasure ghrelin - and be weary of blocking this curious hormone.

FibrosisOne of the few organs that can regenerate, the liver has the remarkable ability to recover from minor injuries by healing itself. Unfortunately, this regenerative capacity can't keep up with diseases that cause significant liver damage. For those individuals living with chronic Hepatitis C (or any other kind of chronic liver disease), progressive scarring of liver tissue is a major concern.

Otherwise known as fibrosis, continual liver scarring can lead to cirrhosis - which ultimately renders the liver unable to function. Over 27,000 Americans die from cirrhosis annually, making it the country's third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 25 and 59, and the seventh leading cause of death overall. Needless to say, strategies to prevent fibrosis from worsening to cirrhosis are in high demand. Despite this need, there are currently no approved anti-fibrotic therapies on the market