Abstract 150: Association Between Serum Ghrelin Levels and Coronary Artery Disease: a Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Ghrelin (GH) is a gastrointestinal endocrine peptide regulating multiple biological processes including adipogenesis, glucose metabolism, cell differentiation and proliferation. Recent studies demonstrated that GH inhibits pro-atherogenic changes in vessel wall via inhibition of nuclear factor - B activity, a transcriptional factor mediating production pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecule expression in the endothelium. The aim of the current study is to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between serum GH levels and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CINHAL and COCHRANE databases for studies reporting serum GH levels in the CAD and non CAD study population. We included case controls, cohort and cross-sectional studies. We calculated the weighted standardized mean difference (SMD) in serum GH levels between the CAD and control groups. Results: Our search strategy yielded 285 articles and we included 10 studies enrolling 1855 participants. The median age of the CAD group was 62 yrs. (IQR 60 - 63) compared to 61 yrs. (IQR 58 - 65) in the control group. The median body mass index in the CAD group was 28 kg/m2 (IQR 27.9 - 28) compared to 27 kg/m2 (IQR 26 - 27) in the control group. The unweighted median serum GH levels in the CAD group were 0.66 ng/ml (IQR 0.3 - 1.6) compared to 0.76 ng/ml (IQR 0.38 - 4.9) in the control group. The SMD of GH level was -0.44 (95% CI -0.56,-0.31) p<0.001 comparing those in the CAD group and control group. Conclusion: Serum GH levels are significantly and inversely associated with CAD. Current findings warrant the need to further investigate the role of GH in the pathogenesis of CAD.