GHRELIN AND MICROGLIA FRIENDS OR FOES IN NEUROINFLAMMATION

Neuroinflammation induces neurometabolic alterations and increases in energy consumption. Recent research has attempted to clarify the role of Ghrelin (Ghre) signaling in microglia on the regulation of energy balance, obesity, neuroinflammation and the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. This orexigenic hormone not only regulates food intake, energy content and glucose homeostasis, but also modulates plasticity and cognition in the central nervous system (CNS). Additionally, microglia may constitute an important therapeutic target in neuroinflammation. In fact, microglial cells are able of producing a wide range of chemokines to promote inflammatory processes being the protective cells of the CNS. These cells have also been identified as specialized macrophages sharing many phenotypical and functional characteristics. Ghre and microglia are involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by neuronal damage such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The reported evidences show that Ghre modulates microglia activity and thus affecting pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases interferes in the control of neurometabolism. The aim was to evaluate the underline mechanisms by which Ghre modulates microglia activity during obesity-induced neuroinflammation by emphasizing the effects of Ghre in inducing these cells towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. The understanding of this peptide's functions will allow for the development and implementation of new therapeutic and neurological diagnostic strategies.