Serum Ghrelin Levels Research Articles

Ghrelin and leptin levels in children with anxiety disorders.

Background Anxiety disorders are common psychiatric disorders in childhood and an important health problem that is associated with the risk of serious mental, educational and economical problems. Researchers have mentioned many different mechanisms in the etiopathology of anxiety disorders. This study aimed to investigate ghrelin and leptin levels in children with anxiety disorders and thus to contribute to the clarification of anxiety in children. Methods Forty-three children aged 6-12 years with a diagnosis of the Anxiety Disorder according to DSM 5 and 21 healthy children age- and gender-matched to the study group were included. All the subjects were assessed with Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C) scale. Blood samples were obtained in the morning and serum ghrelin and leptin levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results In the anxiety group the ghrelin levels were higher than the control group (p = 0.037) but there was no significant difference between the leptin levels (p = 0.430). Also, when the girls in the anxiety group and the girls in the control group were compared, ghrelin levels were higher in the anxiety group (p < 0.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that ghrelin may play a significant role in the etiologic mechanisms of anxiety disorders. However, more detailed studies are needed to explain the linkage between anxiety disorders and neuropeptides.

Ghrelin up-regulates cartilage-specific genes via the ERK/STAT3 pathway in chondrocytes of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a severe spinal deformity that often occurs during puberty. The occurrence of AIS is suggested to be related to abnormal development of cartilage. Our previous study found increased serum ghrelin levels in AIS patients that may linked to the development of AIS. However, whether ghrelin affects cartilage in AIS patients is unclear. We used quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of cartilage-specific genes and the ghrelin receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). The mRNA and protein levels of collagen II (COLII), SOX9, AGGRECAN (ACAN) and GHSR were higher in AIS patients than in controls. In addition, the protein levels of GHSR downstream signaling pathway members p-STAT3 (Ser727), and p-ERK1/2 were increased. Furthermore, we treated chondrocytes from AIS patients with 100 nM ghrelin, the cell proliferation assay and Western blotting showed that ghrelin promotes chondrocyte proliferation and enhances COLII, SOX9, ACAN, p-ERK1/2 and p-STAT3 expression, respectively. Interestingly, all these observed alterations were abolished by ghrelin + [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (a ghrelin receptor inhibitor) treatment. And after U0126 (an inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation) treatment, ERK1/2 and STAT3 (Ser727) phosphorylation was simultaneously suppressed indicating that ERK1/2 is an upstream pathway protein of STAT3 (Ser727). In conclusion, ghrelin plays an important role in upregulating cartilage-specific genes on AIS primary chondrocytes by activating ERK/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Correlations between the Peptide Hormone Ghrelin and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Experimental Periodontitis Models of Female Rats at Different Stages of the Life Cycle

The aim of this study was to examine the correlations between the levels of ghrelin and inflammatory and bone metabolism markers in rats with periodontitis. Thirty female Wistar rats (6 trial rats and 4 control rats in each group) were divided into pubertal, adult and postmenopausal groups. Periodontitis was induced by ligatures. On the 21 st day, blood was collected and all rats were then sacrificed. The levels of osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, alkaline phosphatase, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), acylated ghrelin, total ghrelin and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligands in the blood samples were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The jaws were decalcified in a Tris-EDTA solution and embedded in paraffin and 4-5 μm sections were cut for IL-β, TNF -α and ghrelin staining. Significantly higher serum alkaline phosphatase levels were detected in the trial rats in the pubertal group than in the control rats (p = 0.033). In the postmenopausal group, ghrelin levels positively correlated with interleukin 1 beta levels (r = 0.708, p < 0.05). Among all trial rats, the postmenopausal group exhibited significantly higher levels of acylated ghrelin than the other groups (p = 0.001). Significantly higher osteoprotegerin levels were observed in the control rats than in the trial rats in the postmenopausal group (p = 0.012). Inflammation scores were significantly higher in adult trial rats than in controls (p = 0.024); significantly higher TNF-α levels were detected in postmenopausal experimental rats than in the adult experimental group (p = 0.025). We concluded that total ghrelin levels in serum only correlated with IL-β levels in postmenopausal rats.

Physiological changes of growth hormone during lactation in pup rats artificially reared.

During the lactation period, rat pups are fed by the dam, and the patterns of mother-pup interaction change during this period. Additionally, there are changes in feeding; first, mother´s milk is the only food needed for sustenance, and later, it is combined with solid food and water. GH serum concentrations depend on both maternal-pup interaction and energy metabolism. In the artificial rearing (AR) procedure, pups are deprived of mother-pup interaction, and the feeding pattern is controlled. This rearing paradigm has been used in rats to analyze the effects of maternal deprivation on social behavior. In the present study, we analyzed the variation in GH, acylated ghrelin and IGF-1 serum concentrations throughout the lactation period in AR pups. At pnd7, the maternal rearing (MR) pups responded to a 4 h fast with a drop in GH serum concentration, which is a well-known response to maternal deprivation. GH serum levels in the AR pups did not change, suggesting an adaptation phenomenon. A dopamine inhibitory effect of GH secretion was observed in pnd7 cultured somatotropes, suggesting dopamine regulation of GH secretion at this age. Acylated ghrelin serum levels in the AR pups showed an inverted pattern compared to that in the MR pups, which was related to the artificial feeding pattern. IGF-1 serum levels were lower in the AR pups than in MR pups, which was associated with hepatic GH resistance and with low Igf1 mRNA expression at pnd7. Interestingly, at pnd14, both pup groups showed high hepatic Igf1 mRNA expression but low IGF-1 serum levels, and this was inverted at pnd21. However, serum glucose levels were lower in the AR pups at pnd14 but reached the same levels as the MR pups at pnd21. Moreover, hepatomegaly and higher hepatic GH-receptor levels were observed in the AR pups at pnd21, which was in agreement with an absence of a solid food meal. During AR, the pups lost the maternal interaction-stimulated GH secretion, which correlated with lower IGF-1 serum levels during the first week of postnatal development. Later, the AR pups exhibited hepatic responses, in order to satisfy the metabolic demand for the normal weaning, with low carbohydrates levels in their meal.

Identification and clinico-gynaecological characterization of reproductive disorders in crossbred cows under field conditions

The present study was conducted on a total of 909 crossbred cows maintained in various private farms from Kamrup, Darrang and Lakhimpur districts of Assam. Breeding records provided by the farmers and characteristic genital changes detected on per rectum examination of 133 reported infertile cows were analyzed. The study revealed that the incidence of infertility due to different types of reproductive disorders was 14.63 per cent in cross bred cow under field conditions. Common clinically detectable reproductive disorders were repeat breeding with uterine infection, repeat breeding without uterine infection, true anoestrus and silent oestrus with the percentage frequencies of 36.09, 23.30, 20.30 and 17.29 respectively when estimated out of total number of infertile cows. Less frequent reproductive disorders were pyometra, ovarian cyst, infantile genitalia and ovario-bursal adhesion occurring in the frequencies of 36.09, 23.30, 20.30 and 17.29 per cent respectively. Irrespective of type the incidence of anoestrus and repeat breeding was 37.59 and 59.39 per cent respectively. Palpable corpus luteum was present in the ovary of silent oestrous cows but totally absent in cows affected with true anoestrus. Mucopurulent vaginal discharge was a distinct clinically detectable genital characteristic observed in 62.50 per cent repeat breeder cows with uterine infection. Of the infertile cows 53.38 per cent had body condition score between 2.5 and 3.5 and 46.61 per cent had the score less than 2.5. Out of repeat breeder cows with uterine infection 43.66 per cent had good body condition and 27.41 per cent poor body condition. Level of serum calcium, zinc, leptin, ghrelin and IGF-1 did not vary significantly between types of infertility. Level of phosphorus and iron was lower in cows affected with repeat breeding due to infection. Serum oestrogen level remained low in cows affected with silent oestrus and true anoestrus while level of progesterone was higher in cows affected with silent oestrus.

Pro-inflammatory adipokine profile in psoriatic arthritis: results from a cross-sectional study comparing PsA subset with evident cutaneous involvement and subset "sine psoriasis".

Adipokines have been considered in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory processes of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The main aim of the current study is to investigate possible differences and correlations between adipokines and clinical expression in PsA patients with and without clinical evident psoriasis. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, resistin, visfatin, and ghrelin were measured in 80 consecutive PsA patients, 42 PsA patients with clinically evident psoriasis (group 1) and 38 PsA patients sine psoriasis (group 2), fulfilling the CASPAR criteria. Patients of the two groups were not significantly different for levels of TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, resistin, visfatin, and ghrelin. In the entire cohort, a positive association has been shown between leptin levels and female gender (β = 0.3, p = 0.001), BMI (β = 0.8, p < 0.0001), tender joint count (β = 0.23, p = 0.05), and patient pain-VAS score (β = 0.4, p = 0.049). In group 1, serum concentration of leptin was associated with female gender (β = 0.41, p < 0.0001) and BMI (β = 0.6, p = 0.012), whereas in group 2, a positive association was shown between leptin levels and BMI (β = 0.7, p = 0.003) and CRP (β = 0.35, p = 0.012). With regard to resistin, in the multivariate model, only the association between resistin and IL-6 was found (β = 0.33, p = 0.002). The association between resistin and IL-6 was confirmed in group 1 (β = 0.46, p = 0.004) but not in group 2. Until today, the present study represents the first investigating difference in the adipokine pattern between PsA patients with psoriasis and sine psoriasis. We report a strict interplay between leptin, female gender, BMI, and inflammatory activity in overall PsA patients. In PsA patients with clinical evident psoriasis, leptin was associated with female gender and BMI, and a close association between resistin and IL-6 was found. Further, a positive association between leptin levels and BMI and CRP was found in PsA sine psoriasis patients. Further studies are also advocated for clarifying the possible role of these adipokines as laboratory findings or as disease mediators in addressing the different phenotypes of the disease. Key Points •Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, resistin, visfatin, and ghrelin did not differ between PsA patients with clinical evident psoriasis and PsA sine psoriasis. •There is a strict interplay between leptin, female gender, BMI, and inflammatory activity in PsA. •There is a close association between resistin and IL-6 in PsA patients with clinical evident psoriasis.

Appetite-regulating hormones-leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin-and the development of prostate cancer: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis.

Obesity has been proposed as a risk factor for prostate cancer (PCa). In obesity, serum levels of the appetite-regulating hormones-leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin-become deregulated. To explore whether serum levels of appetite-regulating hormones associate with the incidence of PCa, the incidence of advanced disease, or PCa-specific mortality. PRISMA guidelines were followed. A systematic search for relevant articles published until March 2019 was performed using the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Observational studies with data on serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, or ghrelin and PCa outcome were included. Meta-analysis was used to combine risk estimates. Meta-relative risks (mRRs) were calculated using random effects models. When available, raw data was pooled. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot and Begg's test. Thirty-five studies were eligible for inclusion. The qualitative analysis indicated that leptin was not consistently associated with any PCa outcome, although several cohorts reported decreased adiponectin levels in men who later developed advanced PCa. Based on the meta-analysis, there was no significant effect of leptin on PCa incidence (mRR = 0.93 (95% CI 0.75-1.16), p = 0.52) or advanced PCa (mRR = 0.90 (95% CI 0.74-1.10), p = 0.30). There were insufficient studies to estimate the mRR of PCa incidence for men with the highest levels of adiponectin. The combined risk of advanced PCa for men with the highest levels of adiponectin was reduced but did not reach significance (mRR = 0.81 (95% CI 0.61-1.08), p = 0.15). The current evidence does not suggest an association between leptin and PCa outcome. However, there may be an inverse association between adiponectin and the incidence of advanced PCa that should be investigated by further studies. Serum ghrelin has not been largely investigated.

Leptin and Ghrelin in Excessive Gestational Weight Gain-Association between Mothers and Offspring.

Two-thirds of pregnant women exceed gestational weight gain recommendations. Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) appears to be associated with offspring’s complications induced by mechanisms that are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether umbilical cord leptin (UCL) and ghrelin (UCG) concentrations are altered in full-term neonates born to EGWG mothers and whether neonatal anthropometric measurements correlate with UCL and UCG levels and maternal serum ghrelin and leptin as well as urine ghrelin concentrations. The study subjects were divided into two groups, 28 healthy controls and 38 patients with EGWG. Lower UCL and UCG levels were observed in neonates born to healthy mothers but only in male newborns. In the control group UCG concentrations correlated positively with neonatal birth weight, body length and head circumference. In the control group maternal serum ghrelin levels correlated negatively with neonatal birth weight, body length and head circumference as well as positively with chest circumference. In the EGWG group UCG concentrations correlated negatively with neonatal birth weight and birth body length. UCL correlated positively with birth body length in EGWG group and negatively with head circumference in the control group. In conclusion, EGWG is associated with disturbances in UCL and UCG concentrations.

Obestatin/Ghrelin Ratio as a New Activity Index in Ulcerative Colitis

Background and Aim: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-mediated systemic inflammatory process that destroys the intestinal mucosa. Ghrelin, an appetite-regulatory hormone, has anti-inflammatory effects including a decrease in circulating cytokines. Some reports demonstrated a strong relationship between the serum ghrelin level and the severity of mucosal inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim is to investigate serum levels and colonic mucosal mRNA expression of ghrelin, obestatin, and obestatin/ghrelin ratio in patients with UC and to determine their potential as markers for UC disease activity. Patients and Methods: seventy-five outpatients with UC and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study after written conscious consent and approval by the Institutional Review Board of Mansoura University. UC was diagnosed by conventional clinical, radiological, endoscopic, and histopathological criteria. Serum ghrelin, obestatin levels, and their mucosal mRNA expression were measured by ELISA kits and a real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction according to the manufacturer’s protocols. Results: Serum levels and mucosal mRNA expression of ghrelin were significantly higher in patients with active UC than patients in remission p˂0.0001). Obestatin/ghrelin ratio was significantly lower in patients with active UC (0.26±0.08) than those in remission (0.523±0.16; p˂0.0001). Obestatin/ghrelin ratio was negatively and significantly correlated with inflammation and endoscopic scores, colitis activity index, serum ghrelin level, and its mucosal mRNA expression (p˂0.05). Conclusion: obestatin/ghrelin ratio might be a reliable surrogate non-invasive marker of disease activity in UC with significantly high sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy.

IgG Anti-ghrelin Immune Complexes Are Increased in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Under Biologic Therapy and Are Related to Clinical and Metabolic Markers.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic alterations. The mechanisms underlying these alterations remain unclear. Ghrelin is a gastrointestinal hormone with potent effects on food intake, body weight, metabolism, and immune response. Recent studies reported the presence of anti-ghrelin autoantibodies in healthy subjects and the levels and affinity of these autoantibodies were altered in anorectic and obese individuals. In this cross-sectional study we analyzed anti-ghrelin autoantibodies in RA patients and evaluated its relationship with clinical, body-composition and metabolic parameters. Clinical measurements of RA patients included the disease activity score-28 (DAS-28), inflammatory biomarkers, autoantibodies (RF and anti-CCP), body composition, glucose and lipid profile. Serum ghrelin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Free and total anti-ghrelin autoantibodies quantification (IgG and IgA isotypes) was performed by in-house ELISA. RA patients had lower IgG anti-ghrelin autoantibodies levels and higher immune complexes percentage (IgG+ghrelin) compared to the control group, while the IgA anti-ghrelin autoantibodies showed no significant differences. In the bivariate analysis, the percentage of IgG anti-ghrelin immune complexes positively correlated with BMI and ghrelin whereas in the multivariate regression model, the variables associated were DAS-28, body weight, visceral fat, LDL-C and TG (R2 = 0.72). The percentage of IgA anti-ghrelin immune complexes positively correlated with RF and anti-CCP and the multivariate regression model showed an association with RF and body fat percentage (R2 = 0.22). Our study shows an increased percentage of IgG anti-ghrelin immune complexes in RA patients despite ghrelin levels were similar in both groups, suggesting an increase in the affinity of these autoantibodies toward ghrelin. The associations found in the multiple regression analysis for anti-ghrelin immune complexes support the previously reported functions of these natural autoantibodies as carriers and modulators of the stability and physiological effect of the hormone. However, in RA both the disease activity and the RF appear to influence the formation of these anti-ghrelin immune complexes.

Impact of low ghrelin level in patients with postadolescent acne.

Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide predominantly produced by the stomach. There are many putative roles for ghrelin beyond homeostatic appetite control. To determine ghrelin's level in postadolescent acne and study its relationship to plasma lipid profile, IR and acne severity and to correlate variables. This is a case-control study where 50 patients with postadolescent acne and 50 age-sex compatible controls were enrolled. Acne severity was assessed according to the Hayashi acne grading criteria. The parameters measured were serum level of ghrelin, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and insulin. The mean serum level of Ghrelin was significantly lower in patients compared to control group and acne severity had a significant effect on ghrelin's level. Serum levels of insulin, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, and TG were significantly increased in patients group compared to control. Serum TC, HDL, and LDL showed no significant difference between both studied groups. Ghrelin hormone had a positive correlation to HDL and a negative correlation to BMI, LDL, HOMA-IR, and Insulin. This study postulated that low level of ghrelin may predispose patients with postadolescent acne to hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes or dyslipidemia.

The role of ghrelin and tumor necrosis factor alpha in diazinon-induced dyslipidemia: insights into energy balance regulation

The evidence shows that organophosphate compounds (OPCs), as toxic agents that stimulate the cholinergic system, can increase the incidence of metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia. In the present study, we focused on the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and serum leptin and ghrelin in Diazinon (DZN)-induced dyslipidemia. The rats were randomly divided into five groups comprising eight animals, and all were treated via oral gavage for 28 consecutive days as follows: group one received only corn oil daily, while groups two through five received different doses of DZN dissolved in corn oil equal to 1/40, 1/20, 1/10 and 1/5 of the LD50 daily, respectively.The alteration of the serum lipid profile, such as triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), was confirmed the occurrence of dyslipidemia in the range of doses 1/20-1/5 LD50 of DZN. Although no changes were found in the serum leptin levels, a significant increase was observed in the size of adipocytes, as well as in the TNF-α and ghrelin serum levels, and in the accumulation of epididymal fat, especially at a dose of 1/5 LD50 of DZN. It seems that interactions among the inflammatory reaction, cholinergic pathways and ghrelin secretion may be effective causes of DZN-induced dyslipidemia.

Investigation of Serum Levels of Leptin, Ghrelin and Growth Hormone in Bahraini Children with Autism

Investigation of Serum Levels of Leptin, Ghrelin and Growth Hormone in Bahraini Children with Autism

FABP4 in Gestational Diabetes-Association between Mothers and Offspring.

Fetuses exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a higher risk of abnormal glucose homeostasis in later life. The molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are still not fully understood. Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) appears to be one of the most probable candidates involved in the pathophysiology of GDM. The main aim of the study was to investigate whether umbilical cord serum FABP4 concentrations are altered in term neonates born to GDM mothers. Two groups of subjects were selected—28 healthy controls and 26 patients with GDM. FABP4, leptin, and ghrelin concentrations in the umbilical cord serum, maternal serum, and maternal urine were determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The umbilical cord serum FABP4 levels were higher in the GDM offspring and were directly associated with the maternal serum FABP4 and leptin levels, as well as the prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the BMI at and after delivery; however, they correlated negatively with birth weight and lipid parameters. In the multiple linear regression models, the umbilical cord serum FABP4 concentrations depended positively on the maternal serum FABP4 and negatively on the umbilical cord serum ghrelin levels and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. There are many maternal variables that can affect the level of FABP4 in the umbilical cord serum, thus, their evaluation requires further investigation.

Attenuated levels of ghrelin in synovial fluid is related to the disease severity of ankle post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) of ankle joints results in pain and reduced joint function. Ghrelin, a 28-amino-acid polypeptide, has been previously identified as the first cognate natural ligand that binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. In the present study, ghrelin has been validated to exert cartilage-protective and anti-inflammatory effects. The current study was aimed at investigating the potential role of the levels of serum and synovial fluid (SF) ghrelin on the severity of disease in patients suffering from ankle PTOA. Ninety-seven patients with ankle osteoarthritis who received an arthroscopical examination and debridement or replacement of the ankle joint were included in the study cohort. Meanwhile, 95 healthy individuals (whose age and sex were matched) who received periodic body checkups were enrolled as healthy controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze the ghrelin levels in serum and SF. SF was also probed for cartilage degradation enzyme matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), which is a known pro-inflammatory cytokine. The clinical evaluation was carried out using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot rating scale and visual analogue scale (VAS). The radiographic severity was evaluated using the modified Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading system. We scored for the modified Mankin's score to depict histopathological changes due to cartilage lesions. The diagnostic relevance of the ghrelin concentrations in the prediction of the radiographic grading (in comparison with MMP-3 and TNF-α) was evaluated by calculating the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The serum abundance of ghrelin was not significantly altered between ankle PTOA patients and healthy controls. SF ghrelin was negatively correlated with radiographic progression determined by modified ankle K-L grades. In addition SF ghrelin concentrations were negatively related to VAS scores, and positively associated with AOFAS ankle-hindfoot rating. Moreover, SF ghrelin was inversely proportional to the expressions of MMP-3 and TNF-α. ROC analysis curve demonstrated that ghrelin serves as a favorable marker for the diagnosis of radiographic severity by modified ankle K-L grade. The ghrelin concentration in SF is negatively proportional to disease progression in patients suffering from ankle PTOA. Local administration of ghrelin may function as a decent adjuvant therapy to delay the progress of ankle PTOA. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):463-470, 2019.

Umbilical Cord SFRP5 Levels of Term Newborns in Relation to Normal and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain.

Among the new adipokines, secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is considered to prevent obesity and insulin resistance. The umbilical cord SFRP5 levels have not yet been investigated. The main aim of the study was to investigate whether the umbilical cord SFRP5 concentrations are altered in term neonates born to mothers with excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG). Two groups of subjects were selected depending on their gestational weight gain, i.e. 28 controls and 38 patients with EGWG. Umbilical cord and maternal serum SFRP5 levels were lower in the EGWG group. Umbilical cord SFRP5 concentrations were directly associated with the maternal serum SFRP5, hemoglobin A1c and lean tissue index, umbilical cord leptin levels, as well as newborns’ anthropometric measurements in the EGWG subjects. In multiple linear regression models performed in all the study participants, umbilical cord SFRP5 concentrations depended positively on the maternal serum SFRP5, ghrelin, and leptin levels and negatively on the umbilical cord ghrelin levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and gestational weight gain. EGWG is associated with disturbances in SFRP5 concentrations. Obstetricians and midwives should pay attention to nutrition and weight management during pregnancy.

Dynamic Ghrelin and GH serum levels during combined simultaneous arginine clonidine stimulation test in children with dwarfism

BackgroundCombined simultaneous arginine clonidine stimulation (CSACS) test represents a more appropriate stimulus to detect Ghrelin, for it does not affect glucose metabolism.MethodsFifty prepubertal children with dwarfism were recruited and further classified into normal growth hormone (NGH) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) group with growth hormone (GH) peak cut-off value of 10 μg/l. In both groups, GH and Ghrelin serum levels were determined after the GH provocation test at 30, 60, and 120 min and the height standard deviation score (SDS) for bone age was measured six months later.ResultsThe participants were classified into NGH (n = 24) and GHD group (n = 26). A decrease in the circulating Ghrelin levels prior to the GH peak was observed in the NGH children, whereas both GH and Ghrelin levels demonstrated a rise in the GHD children. Ghrelin level in GHD group was higher compared with NGH group and the GH peak in GHD group is lower than NGH group. The 6 months CSACS treatment could increase the height SDS in both groups.ConclusionAlthough analogous changes were not detected in GHD group, the inverse correlation between GH and Ghrelin in NGH indicates a negative feedback lying between GH and Ghrelin.

Serum concentration of appetite-regulating hormones of mother-infant dyad according to the type of feeding.

Satiety and appetite‐stimulating hormones play a role in the regulation of food intake. Breastfed infants may have a different profile of serum appetite‐regulating hormones than formula‐fed infants. We propose to demonstrate that the serum concentration of appetite regulatory hormones differs according to the type of feeding and that there is a correlation between the serum concentrations of these hormones in mothers and in infants at 4 months of age. In a cross‐sectional analysis, 167 mother–newborn dyads at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara were enrolled: 74 full breastfeeding (FBF), 56 partial breastfeeding (PBF), and 37 receiving human milk substitutes (HMS). Serum levels of ghrelin (pg/ml), leptin (ng/ml), peptide YY (pg/ml), and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) (pM) were measured. We performed one‐way analysis of variance, unpaired Student t test, post hoc Tukey test, and Pearson correlation. The total sample at 16 weeks postpartum included 167 dyads. The mean age was 16 ± 1 weeks. The concentrations of GLP‐1 (pM) and peptide YY (pg/ml) were higher in the FBF group (42.6 and 442.9) than in the HMS group (35.2 and 401.9), respectively, p = 0.046 and p = 0.056. And, the FBF group had higher correlation coefficients of ghrelin (r = 0.411 vs. 0.165), GLP‐1 (r = 0.576 vs. 0.407), and peptide YY (r = 0.218 vs. 0.067), respectively, than the HMS group. The concentrations of GLP‐1 and peptide YY were higher in the FBF group when compared with the HMS group. Mother–infant dyads fed by FBF had more significant direct correlations of appetite‐regulating hormones than those who received HMS.

Altered leptin, adiponectin, resistin and ghrelin secretion may represent an intrinsic polycystic ovary syndrome abnormality

The aim of the study was to investigate whether altered adipose tissue secretion of various adipokines is secondary to obesity, hyperandrogenism, and hyperinsulinemia or intrinsic to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This cross-sectional study included 151 women diagnosed with PCOS by the Rotterdam criteria and 95 healthy women matched by age, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Clinical, biochemical, and hormonal characteristics were assessed. Serum concentrations of ghrelin and adiponectin were found to be significantly lower and concentrations of leptin and resistin significantly higher in women with PCOS than in healthy women matched by age, BMI, and WHR. A PCOS diagnosis made the largest contribution to predicting serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and ghrelin in all stepwise multiple regression models, which included PCOS diagnosis, BMI, WHR, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, free testosterone and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance as independent predictors. Leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin and resistin levels may serve as independent biomarkers for the diagnosis of PCOS.

Gastroduodenal Symptoms in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Are Correlated with Gastric Emptying and Serum Levels of Active Ghrelin

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with delay in gastric emptying, increase in ghrelin, and decrease in leptin. The aim was to investigate the correlation between gastroduodenal (GD) symptoms, gastric emptying, and serum levels of active ghrelin and leptin in IBD. Twenty-seven IBD patients and 26 healthy volunteers were asked to complete the Porto Alegre Dyspeptic Symptoms Questionnaire. A gastric emptying test for solids was performed using a C13 octanoic acid breath test. During this test, serum samples were collected for measuring active ghrelin and leptin concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Summary: Patients with IBD demonstrated delayed gastric emptying compared with healthy volunteers. In patients with GD symptoms, the delay in gastric emptying was more pronounced, and there were significant correlations of satiety and vomiting with gastric emptying. Basal leptin, but not active ghrelin, increased in patients with GD symptoms compared with patients without these symptoms. There were negative correlations between basal active ghrelin with total Porto Alegre score and epigastric pain in IBD patients with GD symptoms. Key Messages: In IBD, satiety and vomiting were associated with delay in gastric emptying. Conversely, epigastric pain had a negative correlation with active ghrelin. Our results suggest that different pathophysiological mechanisms contribute to GD symptoms in IBD.