Abstract
BackgroundGhrelin and peptide YY (PYY) are appetite regulating hormones secreted from the gastrointestinal tract (gut). Aside from their known effect on energy homeostasis, accumulating data indicates that these gut hormones also affect bone metabolism. However, data regarding the influence of ghrelin and PYY on bone density in humans is very limited, and the results are inconclusive. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the potential association between circulating ghrelin and PYY with bone density indices in the general population.MethodsA total of 2257 adult subjects from the CODING (Complex Diseases in the Newfoundland Population: Environment and Genetics) study participated in this investigation. Acylated ghrelin and total PYY were measured in serum after a 12-hour fasting, with the Enzyme- Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the spine, femoral neck, and total hip. Multiple regression analyses adjusting for age, BMI, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption were employed to analyze the association between serum ghrelin and PYY with bone mineral density parameters.ResultsSignificant positive associations of ghrelin concentration with L2-L4 BMD, L2-L4 Z-score, femoral neck BMD, femoral neck Z-score, total hip BMD, and total hip Z-score were found in women. No significant correlations between ghrelin and bone density indices were present in men. After dividing the female group into pre-menopausal and post-menopausal, ghrelin was positively correlated with femoral neck Z-score, and total hip Z-score in pre-menopausal women and L2-L4 BMD, and Z-score in post-menopausal group. Moreover, no significant association was discovered between serum PYY and bone density at any site.ConclusionOur results suggest a beneficial association of circulating ghrelin concentration with bone density in women at the population level. This association is independent of major confounding factors including BMI, physical activity, age, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Effect of menopause on this association seemed to be site specific. However, PYY does not seem to be associated with bone density parameters.
Highlights
Ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY) are appetite regulating hormones secreted from the gastrointestinal tract
The objectives of the current study were: 1) to determine if ghrelin and PYY are associated with bone density parameters in a large population-based cohort; 2) to evaluate whether this possible association is different in men and women, and in pre- and post-menopausal women; and 3) to explore whether the possible associations between ghrelin or PYY and bone mineral density are independent of age, BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking
According to the femoral neck T-score, 76.6% were normal, 22.6% and 0.7% met the criteria of osteopenia and osteoporosis respectively, and based on total hip T-score 83.5%, 16.2%, and 0.3% were normal, osteopenic, and osteoporotic respectively
Summary
Ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY) are appetite regulating hormones secreted from the gastrointestinal tract (gut). Aside from their known effect on energy homeostasis, accumulating data indicates that these gut hormones affect bone metabolism. This study was designed to investigate the potential association between circulating ghrelin and PYY with bone density indices in the general population. In populations aged 50 years and over, secondary causes of osteoporosis such as endocrine, gastrointestinal, and connective tissue diseases, have been found in 41.4% of women and 51.3% of men [3]. The gastrointestinal hormones, ghrelin and PYY, which aid in energy homeostasis and weight management, have been found to be involved in the regulation of bone density [4,5]. Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid appetite stimulant peptide secreted primarily from the stomach, and PYY is an appetite suppressant hormone secreted from the enteroendocrine cells of the ileum and colon [6,7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
