Acylated and Desacylated Ghrelin, Preptin, Leptin, and Nesfatin-1 Peptide Changes Related to the Body Mass Index

Yusuf Ozkan,Mehmet Kalayci,Zekiye Catak,İbrahim Sahin,Mustafa Timurkan,Aziz Aksoy,Esra Suay Timurkan,Suleyman Aydin,Musa Yilmaz,Cihan Citil

doi:10.1155/2013/236085

Abstract

This study examines the levels of acylated and desacylated ghrelin, preptin, leptin, and nesfatin-1 peptide changes related to the body mass index (BMI). The subjects were allocated to 5 groups depending on their BMIs as follows: Group I (BMI <18.5 kg/m2); Group II (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2); Group III (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2); Group IV (BMI 30–39.9 kg/m2); Group V (BMI >40 kg/m2). Serum acylated and desacylated ghrelin, preptin, and leptin levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nesfatin-1 was measured by the enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Desacylated ghrelin levels showed a gradual and statistically significant drop from Group I to Group V, while preptin and leptin levels exhibited a gradual and significant increase from Group I to Group IV. Serum nesfatin-1 levels gradually, but not significantly, increased from Group I to Group III and showed a significant decrease in Groups IV and V. In conclusion, leptin, preptin, and acylated ghrelin (AG) levels increased with higher BMI, whereas desacylated ghrelin (DAG) decreased and nesfatin-1 showed no clear relationship to BMI.

Highlights

Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the world, in developed countries
Orexigenic and anorexigenic peptide hormones of the endocrine system may play a critical role in the development of obesity by regulating the energy balance and affecting the “eating center” and “satiety center” in the paraventricular nucleus, arcuate nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract
Behavioral studies led to controversial results regarding desacylated ghrelin, and albeit several studies suggest that it is anorexigenic peptide counteracting some of AGs actions [5]

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the world, in developed countries. Ghrelin, which contains 28 amino acids, is called acylated ghrelin when it has a fatty acid attached to the N terminus of the third serine (octanoic acid), and is called desacylated ghrelin when it has no fatty acid attached [2, 3]. Both forms of ghrelin are present in tissues and biological fluids [4]. Ghrelin levels in humans decrease with obesity and calorie intake and increase with hunger and in anorexia nervosa patients [6]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion