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. 2020 May 3;12(5):e7941. doi: 10.7759/cureus.7941

Figure 1. A simplified proposed model for ghrelin’s orexigenic action through AMP-AMPK in the VMH.

Figure 1

Fasting stimulates ghrelin production by endocrine cells of the stomach [21]. Ghrelin acts on GHSR on the VMH to phosphorylate AMPK. This results in a change in fatty acid biosynthesis (not shown), resulting in increased feeding.

GHSR: Growth hormone secretagogue receptor; VMH: Ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus; AMPK: 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase; pAMPK: phosphorylated 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase.