By binding to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, ghrelin can induce secretion of growth hormone.234 This leads to modulation of the growth hormone/IGF1 axis, which is an important anabolic pathway in human skeletal muscle.235 Furthermore, ghrelin can induce food intake, mediated by stimulation of specific neurons in the food reward centre.217 Due to its orexigenic property, ghrelin analogues have been proposed for clinical application in cachexia. This evidence concerns the gene GH1 and Cachexia.