Medicina Molecular e Genética

Unacylated Ghrelin (UnAG): A New Treatment Option for Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Abstract

Gabriele Togliatto, Matteo Traversa, Alberto Orsello and Maria Felice Brizzi

Unacylated Ghrelin (UnAG) Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a major clinical problem and a significant health care cost worldwide [1]. PAD is the result of a progressive occlusion of the peripheral arteries driven by atherosclerosis [2]. This, in turn, leads to a gradual reduction of blood supply to the limb and the occurrence of symptoms ranging from intermittent claudication to critical limb ischemia [3]. Moreover, as PAD remains under-diagnosed for many years, muscle damage and ulceration are commonly found. PAD is a common vascular complication in diabetic individuals [4] and its incidence and prevalence are expected to increase due to the spread of diabetes and an aging population [5]. In particular, diabetic patients have a high risk of developing PAD which is more severe and diffuse than in nondiabetic patients [4]. Moreover, the presence of PAD in these patients is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular diseases [1,4].