Ghrelin Fragments Cross BBB, Offer Systemic Pain Relief
The active fragments of ghrelin cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain to produce antinociceptive effects after systemic administration.
Background
Ghrelin is a hormone primarily known for stimulating appetite and growth hormone release. However, it also plays a role in modulating pain perception, known as nociception. While ghrelin's pain-relieving, or antinociceptive, effects are recognized, it has been unclear whether its active fragments, when administered systemically (e.g., via injection into the bloodstream), could effectively cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to exert their effects directly within the brain.