Menopausal status influences the relationship between serum ghrelin levels and fat mass in healthy women

Abstract

To examine the relationships of fasting serum ghrelin levels to bone mass index (BMI) and body fat mass, focusing on the effects of menopausal status and changes in fat distribution in women after menopause. An observational study. Fifty-nine pre-menopausal and 31 post-menopausal healthy Japanese women volunteers were enrolled in the present study. Total and regional body fat mass weight was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum ghrelin was measured. Relationships of serum ghrelin levels to weight, BMI, total body and regional fat mass weight were separately examined in post-menopausal and pre-menopausal women. Serum ghrelin levels were significantly inversely correlated with weight (r = -0.377, p < 0.05, Pearson's correlation test), right arm fat mass (r = -0.408, p < 0.05), left arm fat mass (r = -0.386, p < 0.05), trunk fat mass (r = -0.361, p < 0.05) and total body fat mass (r = -0.383, p < 0.05) in the post-menopausal women but not in pre-menopausal women. Menopausal status may influence the relationship between serum ghrelin levels and fat mass in healthy women.