Ghrelin, acylated ghrelin, leptin and PYY-3 levels in hyperemesis gravidarum

Abstract

Objective: To assess the serum levels of gut and adipocyte-derived metabolic hormones that control appetite, adipocity, weight gain and energy hemostasis, namely total ghrelin (TG), acylated ghrelin (AG), leptin and PYY-3 in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).Methods: Plasma samples of 86 women in their first trimester pregnancies with HG (n = 30), morning sickness of pregnancy (MSP) (n = 34) and control (n = 22) groups were obtained. Serum levels of TG, AG, leptin and PYY-3 were compared between the groups, and the correlations with severity of symptoms using modified PUQE (Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis) scoring, BMI, E2, hCG and TSH were calculated.Results: Levels of TG, AG, PYY-3 and the TG/leptin ratio were significantly higher in HG group compared to MSP and the control groups (p ≤ 0.017). AG/TG ratio was significantly lower in the HG group compared to both MSP and control groups (p ≤ 0.017). There were either weak or no significant statistical correlations between the gut and adipose-related hormones and the modified PUQE scores, BMI, E2, hCG and TSH.Conclusion: Gut-derived metabolic hormones ghrelin, AG and PYY-3 may be involved in the HG pathophysiology.