Ghrelin growth hormone secretagogue receptor, with the "GHS-R1b" splice being inactive) is involved in mediating a wide variety of biological effects of ghrelin, including: stimulation of growth hormone release, increase in hunger, modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, regulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretion, protection of neuronal and cardiovascular cells, and regulation of immune function. They are present in high density in the hypothalamus and pituitary, on the vagus nerve (on both afferent cell bodies and afferent nerve endings) and throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Ghrelin promotes intestinal cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis during inflammatory states and oxidative stress. It also suppresses
Maximum the Hormone suffering a herniated disc. Maximum the Hormone performs nu metal and hardcore punk but incorporates many elements of pop, funk, ska, hip hop and extreme metal into their music as well which helps to distinguish them from many typical nu metal and hardcore punk bands. The band is also labeled as alternative metal, funk metal, groove metal and more recently metalcore by some critics. AllMusic's Alexey Eremenko writes that Maximum the Hormone is distinguished by "a general lack of the teenage angst and self-importance characteristic of true nu-metalers". Their funky sound, heard in many songs such as "Maximum 21st Century",