Calorie Restriction Expands Hunger Hormone Cells Through Gastric Notch-FOXO1 Pathway

Ghrelin, often called the "hunger hormone," is primarily produced by specialized ghrelin cells in the stomach, playing a critical role in appetite stimulation and energy balance. Calorie restriction (CR), a dietary intervention known for its metabolic benefits and potential to extend lifespan, is frequently associated with increased ghrelin levels, which can paradoxically stimulate appetite. However, the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms by which CR leads to an expansion of these ghrelin-producing cells in the gastric lining have remained largely unknown.