The relationship between sarcopenia and nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background and Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the levels of adipocytokines anorexigenic nesfatin-1 and orexigenic ghrelin levels and body mass index (BMI), muscle mass, muscle strength and sarcopenia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 
 Material and Method: The patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of COPD. Body mass index (BMI), body fat and muscle measurements were measured with bioelectrical impedance device. A hand-grip strength test was performed with a hand dynamometer to determine muscle strength. We used the mMRC (Modified Medical Research Council Questionnaire) questionnaire to measure the intensity of dyspnea during daily activities. A 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was used to test functional capacity and physical exercise tolerance. COPD Assessment Test (CAT) was performed to determine the health status. Serum nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels were measured in all patients.
 Results: In a total of 90 patients (16 female and 74 male) were included in the study prospectively. There was not any significant difference regarding the Nesfatin-1, ghrelin and Nesfatin-1/ghrelin ratio between mild/moderate or severe COPD patients. Muscle strength was correlated positively with 6MWT, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels, but negatively correlated with CAT score and mMRC score. The number of patients in the advanced stage of COPD was higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group.
 Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between muscle strength and nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels. However, muscle strength was negatively correlated with mMRC and CAT scores. Approximately 19% of COPD patients had sarcopenia. Serum nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels were not different between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic COPD patients.