Plasma Ghrelin Levels Research Articles

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 elevation contributes to age-associated cognitive decline.

Elderly individuals frequently report cognitive decline, while various studies indicate hippocampal functional declines with advancing age. Hippocampal function is influenced by ghrelin through hippocampus-expressed growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is an endogenous GHSR antagonist that attenuates ghrelin signaling. Here, we measured plasma ghrelin and LEAP2 levels in a cohort of cognitively normal individuals older than 60 and found that LEAP2 increased with age while ghrelin (also referred to in literature as "acyl-ghrelin") marginally declined. In this cohort, plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratios were inversely associated with Mini-Mental State Examination scores. Studies in mice showed an age-dependent inverse relationship between plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio and hippocampal lesions. In aged mice, restoration of the LEAP2/ghrelin balance to youth-associated levels with lentiviral shRNA Leap2 downregulation improved cognitive performance and mitigated various age-related hippocampal deficiencies such as CA1 region synaptic loss, declines in neurogenesis, and neuroinflammation. Our data collectively suggest that LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio elevation may adversely affect hippocampal function and, consequently, cognitive performance; thus, it may serve as a biomarker of age-related cognitive decline. Moreover, targeting LEAP2 and ghrelin in a manner that lowers the plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio could benefit cognitive performance in elderly individuals for rejuvenation of memory.

Ghrelin and impulsivity relationship in alcohol-dependent patients and healthy individuals.

Abundant research indicates that ghrelin hormone levels are associated with alcohol use and addiction. One of the mediators of this association may be impulsivity, which is one of the common traits observed in alcohol addiction and some eating disorders. This study evaluated participants with alcohol dependency and healthy volunteers to determine whether trait impulsivity and ghrelin levels are associated. This study analyzed trait impulsivity scores and fasting serum ghrelin levels of 44 males with alcohol dependency and 48 healthy male participants. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the UPPS Impulsive Behaviour Scale (UPPS) were used to measure trait impulsivity levels. Penn Alcohol Craving Scale and Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale for heavy drinking were used to assess craving at the baseline and after the detoxification period. Alcohol-dependent patients' fasting ghrelin levels were significantly higher than that of healthy participants. Ghrelin plasma levels were positively correlated with UPPS total impulsivity scores and sensation-seeking among healthy individuals. In alcohol-dependent participants, there was a positive correlation between UPPS urgency scores obtained at the baseline and fasting ghrelin levels before and after the detoxification period. Ghrelin-impulsivity relationship could be observed in certain dimensions of impulsivity in both alcohol-dependent and healthy individuals and even independent of the effect of alcohol. Although the associated impulsivity dimensions differ in different groups, the results are parallel to other studies in terms of demonstrating the relationship between ghrelin and impulsivity.

Treatment of Diet-Induced Obese Rats with CB2 Agonist AM1241 or CB2 Antagonist AM630 Reduces Leptin and Alters Thermogenic mRNA in Adipose Tissue.

Diet-induced obesity (DIO) is a contributor to co-morbidities, resulting in alterations in hormones, lipids, and low-grade inflammation, with the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2) contributing to the inflammatory response. The effects of modulating CB2 with pharmacological treatments on inflammation and adaptations to the obese state are not known. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms in adipose tissue of CB2 agonism and CB2 antagonism treatment in a DIO model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were placed on a high-fat diet (HFD) (21% fat) for 9 weeks, then received daily intraperitoneal injections with a vehicle, AM630 (0.3 mg/kg), or AM1241 (3 mg/kg), for a further 6 weeks. AM630 or AM1241 treatment in DIO rats did not alter their body weight, food intake, or liver weight, and it had no effect on their numerous circulating cytokines or peri-renal fat pad mass. AM1241 decreased heart weight and BAT weight; both treatments (AM630 or AM1241) decreased plasma leptin levels, while AM630 also decreased plasma ghrelin and GLP-1 levels. Both treatments decreased Adrb3 and TNF-α mRNA levels in eWAT and TNF-α levels in pWAT. AM630 treatment also decreased the mRNA levels of Cnr2, leptin, and Slc2a4 in eWAT. In BAT, both treatments decreased leptin, UCP1, and Slc2a4 mRNA levels, with AM1241 also decreasing Adrb3, IL1β, and PRDM16 mRNA levels, and AM630 increasing IL6 mRNA levels. In DIO, CB2 agonist and CB2 antagonist treatment reduces circulating leptin in the absence of weight loss and modulates the mRNA responsible for thermogenesis.

Relationship Between Appetite-Related Peptides and Frailty in Older Adults

ABSTRACT Background Frailty, is a geriatric syndrome that reduces the resistance to stress situations caused by activities of daily living and increases morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that a decrease in orexigenic peptides or an increase in anorexigenic peptides might be associated with frailty. We aimed to investigate the relationship between frailty and six appetite-related peptides: ghrelin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related peptide (AgRP), cocaine-amphetamine-associated peptide (CART), peptide YY, and alpha MSH (α-MSH). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 85 older adults who visited the outpatient clinic. All patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment. Frailty status was assessed using the Fried frailty index. Plasma levels of six appetite-related peptides were studied. Results The mean age was 73.7 ± 5.4 years, 27 (31.8%) of the patients were male, and 32 of the patients (37.6%) were frail. While plasma levels of ghrelin, NPY and AgRP were significantly lower in frail patients, CART and α-MSH levels were higher compared to non-frail patients (p < .05 for all). Peptide YY was found to be higher in the frail group, however, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = .052). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the ghrelin, AgRP, CART, and α-MSH levels were independent predictors of frailty. Moreover, a weak correlation was found between all peptides(except NPY) and handgrip strength and Lawton-Brody score. Conclusion Ghrelin, AgRP, CART, and α-MSH levels were found to be independent predictors of frailty. Our results suggest that appetite-related peptides might be playing roles in the pathogenesis of frailty. Further larger prospective studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Ghrelin receptor agonist MK0677 and overnight fasting do not rescue deficient fear extinction in 129S1/SvImJ mice.

The hunger hormone ghrelin has been implicated in the modulation of anxiety- and fear-related behaviors in rodents and humans, while its dysregulation may be associated with psychiatric illness. Along these lines, the ghrelin system has been suggested as a potential target to facilitate fear extinction, which is the main mechanism underlying cognitive behavioral therapy. So far, this hypothesis has not been tested in individuals that have difficulties to extinguish fear. Thus, we investigated pharmacological (ghrelin receptor agonist MK0677) and non-pharmacological (overnight fasting) strategies to target the ghrelin system in the 129S1/SvImJ (S1) mouse strain, which models the endophenotype of impaired fear extinction that has been associated with treatment resistance in anxiety and PTSD patients. MK0677 induced food intake and overnight fasting increased plasma ghrelin levels in S1 mice, suggesting that the ghrelin system is responsive in the S1 strain. However, neither systemic administration of MK0677 nor overnight fasting had an effect on fear extinction in S1 mice. Similarly, our groups previously reported that both interventions did not attenuate fear in extinction-competent C57BL/6J mice. In summary, our findings are in contrast to several studies reporting beneficial effects of GHSR agonism and overnight fasting on fear- and anxiety-related behaviors in rodents. Rather, our data agree with accumulating evidence of divergent behavioral effects of ghrelin system activation and underscore the hypothesis that potential benefits of targeting the ghrelin system in fear extinction may be dependent on factors (e.g., previous stress exposure) that are not yet fully understood.

The effect of Ramadan fasting on mental health and some hormonal levels in healthy males

BackgroundMillions of Muslims around the world fast during the holy month of Ramadan as a requirement of their religion Islam. Studies have reported varying effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health and various hormones. This study aimed to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health and plasma Leptin, Ghrelin, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Growth Hormone levels in healthy individuals, and to evaluate the possible relationship between their hormone values and scale scores. Male healthcare professionals working at a university hospital without any psychiatric disease were included in the study. In the last week before Ramadan and in the first week after Ramadan, participants’ blood samples were taken at 8.00 in the morning after 12 h of fasting, taking into account the release pattern and pulsatile release of these hormones in order to measure plasma Leptin, Ghrelin, NPY and Growth Hormone levels. Simultaneously, a sociodemographic data form, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Scale of Dimensions of Interpersonal Relationships were applied to participants.ResultsThe sample of the study included a total of 40 healthcare professionals. Participants’ BSI interpersonal sensitivity and phobic anxiety subscales scores and their general severity and positive symptom distress index scores decreased significantly after Ramadan compared to those measured before Ramadan. (p < 0.001, p = 0.020, p = 0.042, p = 0.006 respectively). Also participants’ ghrelin levels increased significantly after Ramadan compared to those measured before Ramadan (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health may be mediated by some psychoneuroendocrine mechanisms. In order to elucidate these mechanisms that mediate the effect of Ramadan fasting on mental health, there is a need for better-structured studies with larger samples and more variables.

Ghrelin, not corticosterone, is associated with transitioning of phenotypic states in a migratory Galliform.

In both captive and free-living birds, the emergence of the migratory phenotype is signalled by rapid and marked increases in food intake and fuelling, as well as changes in amount of nocturnality or migratory restlessness. The metabolic hormone corticosterone and, as more recently suggested, the gut-derived hormone ghrelin have been suggested to play a role in mediating such phenomenal phenotypic flexibility given that they both regulate fuel metabolism and locomotion across vertebrate taxa. Here, using the Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) as our study species, we induced autumn migration followed by a non-migratory wintering phase through controlled changes in daylight. We thus compared plasma corticosterone and ghrelin concentrations between the two sampling phases and assessed whether these hormones might reflect the migratory state. While we found no differences in plasma corticosterone between the two sampling phases and no link of this hormone with changes in body mass, levels of food intake or migratory restlessness, the migratory birds had substantially higher levels of plasma ghrelin relative to the non-migratory birds. Furthermore, while ghrelin did not correlate with the gain in body mass over the entire pre-migratory fuelling phase (over an average of nine weeks preceding blood sampling), plasma ghrelin did positively correlate with the gain in body mass observed during the final fattening stages (over an average of three weeks preceding blood sampling). Again, variation in plasma ghrelin also reflected the amount of body mass depleted over both the long- and short-time frame as birds returned to their non-migratory baseline - lower levels of plasma ghrelin consistently correlated with larger losses in body mass. Thus, while our data do not highlight a role of the hormone corticosterone in sustaining pre-migratory fattening as shown in other bird species, they do add evidence for a potential role of ghrelin in mediating migratory behaviour and further suggest that this hormone might be important in regulating the transitioning of migratory states, possibly by promoting fuel mobilisation and usage.

Appetite-regulating hormones modulate odor perception and odor-evoked activity in hypothalamus and olfactory cortices.

Odors guide food seeking, and food intake modulates olfactory function. This interaction is mediated by appetite-regulating hormones like ghrelin, insulin, and leptin, which alter activity in the rodent olfactory bulb, but their effects on downstream olfactory cortices have not yet been established in humans. The olfactory tract connects the olfactory bulb to the cortex through 3 main striae, terminating in the piriform cortex (PirC), amygdala (AMY), olfactory tubercule (OT), and anterior olfactory nucleus (AON). Here, we test the hypothesis that appetite-regulating hormones modulate olfactory processing in the endpoints of the olfactory tract and the hypothalamus. We collected odor-evoked functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses and plasma levels of ghrelin, insulin, and leptin from human subjects (n = 25) after a standardized meal. We found that a hormonal composite measure, capturing variance relating positively to insulin and negatively to ghrelin, correlated inversely with odor intensity ratings and fMRI responses to odorized vs. clean air in the hypothalamus, OT, and AON. No significant correlations were found with activity in PirC or AMY, the endpoints of the lateral stria. Exploratory whole-brain analyses revealed significant correlations near the diagonal band of Broca and parahippocampal gyrus. These results demonstrate that high (low) blood plasma concentrations of insulin (ghrelin) decrease perceived odor intensity and odor-evoked activity in the cortical targets of the medial and intermediate striae of the olfactory tract, as well as the hypothalamus. These findings expand our understanding of the cortical mechanisms by which metabolic hormones in humans modulate olfactory processing after a meal.

Ghrelin as a biomarker of non-motor symptoms and sleep disorders at Parkinson's disease

ABSTRACT. Among the movement disorders characterized by Parkinson's disease, an equally important component is non-motor symptoms. To date, the neurophysiological basis of development and potential biomarkers of the disease remain insufficiently studied. The purpose of our study is to analyze the possibility of using the level of ghrelin in blood plasma as a biomarker of non-motor symptoms and sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease depending on circadian rhythms. We examined 64 patients with Parkinson's disease registered at the Center for Parkinson's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Nervous Diseases, Poltava State Medical University, and 30 patients without signs of neurodegenerative disease. The diagnosis was established according to the criteria of the World Brain Bank of Great Britain. Non-motor manifestations were studied according to the results of the non-motor symptom assessment scale, the severity of sleep disorders was assessed according to the sleep scale at Parkinson's disease. Results. In the course of the study, a decrease in the level of ghrelin in the blood plasma and the connection of the ghrelin content with sleep and digestive system disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease were established. patients, which is consistent with other studies. Ghrelin stimulates motility and emptying of the stomach, as well as motility of the small and large intestines. This indicates the probable role of ghrelin in the pathophysiology of diseases of the digestive system at Parkinson's disease. Conclusions. The level of plasma ghrelin in patients with Parkinson's disease and its diurnal fluctuations can be considered as a potential biomarker of non-motor symptoms and their fluctuations due to its links with sleep disorders and circadian rhythm.

Acute Effects of Different Electroacupuncture Point Combinations to Modulate the Gut-Brain Axis in the Minipig Model.

This study aimed to compare the gut-brain axis responses to acute electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoint combinations in the minipig model. Four adult Yucatan minipigs were subjected twice to four acute EA treatments (25-minute acute sessions) including sham (false acupoints) and control (no EA), during anesthesia and according to a Latin-square design paradigm. Acupoint combinations (4 loci each) are head-abdomen (#70 Dafengmen, #35 Sanwan), back (bilateral #27 Pishu, #28 Weishu), leg (bilateral #79 Hangou, #63 Housanli), and sham (2 bilateral points that are not acupoints). Electrocardiograms were performed to explore heart rate variability (HRV). Infrared thermography was used to measure skin temperature at the stimulation points. Saliva (cortisol) and blood samples (leptin, total/active ghrelin, insulin, and glucose) were collected for further analyses before and after acute EA. All animals were also subjected to BOLD fMRI to investigate the brain responses to EA. Acute EA significantly modulated several physiological and metabolic parameters compared to basal, sham, and/or control conditions, with contrasting effects in terms of BOLD responses in brain regions involved in the hedonic and cognitive control of food intake. The head-abdomen combination appeared to be the most promising combination in terms of brain modulation of the corticostriatal circuit, with upregulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, and anterior cingulate cortex. It also induced significantly lower plasma ghrelin levels compared to sham, suggesting anorectic effects, as well as no temperature drop at the stimulation site. This study opens the way to a further preclinical trial aimed at investigating chronic EA in obese minipigs.

The ghrelin system follows a precise post-natal development in mini-pigs that is not impacted by dietary medium chain fatty-acids.

The ghrelin-ghrelin receptor (GHSR1) system is one of the most important mechanisms regulating food intake and energy balance. To be fully active, ghrelin is acylated with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) through the ghrelin-O-acetyl transferase (GOAT). Several studies reported an impact of dietary MCFA on ghrelin acylation in adults. Our study aimed at describing early post-natal development of the ghrelin system in mini-pigs as a model of human neonates and evaluating the impact of dietary MCFA. Suckled mini-pigs were sacrificed at post-natal day (PND) 0, 2, 5, and 10 or at adult stage. In parallel, other mini-pigs were fed from birth to PND10 a standard or a dairy lipid-enriched formula with increased MCFA concentration (DL-IF). Plasma ghrelin transiently peaked at PND2, with no variation of the acylated fraction except in adults where it was greater than during the neonatal period. Levels of mRNA coding pre-proghrelin (GHRL) and GOAT in the antrum did not vary during the post-natal period but dropped in adults. Levels of antral pcsk1/3 (cleaving GHRL into ghrelin) mRNA decreased significantly with age and was negatively correlated with plasma acylated, but not total, ghrelin. Hypothalamic ghsr1 mRNA did not vary in neonates but increased in adults. The DL-IF formula enriched antral tissue with MCFA but did not impact the ghrelin system. In conclusion, the ghrelin maturation enzyme PCSK1/3 gene expression exhibited post-natal modifications parallel to transient variations in circulating plasma ghrelin level in suckling piglets but dietary MCFA did not impact this post-natal development.

GHRELIN LEVEL CHANGES IN HUMANS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND OBESITY

Purpose: The aim of the research was to identify the plasma ghrelin concentration in humans with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and obesity and to investigate a statistically significant relation between plasma ghrelin levels and other important metabolic factors in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and obesity pathogenesis.

Ghrelin Bridges DMV Neuropathology and GI Dysfunction in the Early Stages of Parkinson's Disease.

Ghrelin contributes to the communication between the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Both decreased ghrelin levels and functional GI disorders are early events in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and animal models. However, the reason is not clear. Here it is found that choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)‐positive neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV), are lost in PD transgenic mice. In response to the selective damaging of DMV neurons with mu p75‐SAP, a rapid reduction both in plasma total and active ghrelin levels is observed. While by contrast, chemogenetic activation of DMV cholinergic neurons can increase the plasma ghrelin levels. Impairment of cholinergic neurons is accompanied by GI disorders, including decreased stool wet weight, stool dry weight, small intestine advancing rate, and gastric emptying rate, while exogenous ghrelin treatment can partially ameliorate GI dysfunction of A53T α‐synuclein transgenic mice. Using pseudorabies virus retrograde trace method, the existence of a direct pathway from the stomach fundus to the DMV is shown. Taken together, the findings suggest that the reduction in plasma ghrelin levels in the early stages of PD may be the result of the lesion of cholinergic neurons in the DMV, thus linking neurodegeneration and GI dysfunction in PD.

Association Between Gut Regulatory Hormones and Post-operative Weight Loss Following Gastrectomy in Patients With Gastric Cancer.

Background/AimsPost-operative weight loss in patients with gastric cancer lead to a poor quality of life and long-term survival. This study aims to evaluate the effects of gut regulatory hormones on post-operative weight loss in patients with subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.MethodsThis prospective study was conducted for 12 months post-surgery in 14 controls and 13 gastrectomy patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Serum plasma ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, gastric inhibitory peptide-1, peptide YY, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance responses to a standardized test meal were recorded at multiple time points before and after gastrectomy at 4 and 12 months.ResultsThe mean weight difference between the pre-operative state and the 4-month period was significantly reduced to 6.6 kg (P = 0.032), but significant weight reduction was not observed from 4 months to 12 months. The plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1, gastric inhibitory peptide-1, and peptide YY were significantly increased 4 months postoperatively compared to the pre-operative state (all P = 0.035); however, pre-operative levels and relative changes over a period of 0-4 months of hormones were not correlated with body weight changes. Only the pre-operative ghrelin at peak had a negative correlation with changes in weight reduction in the 4 months after surgery (ρ = −0.8, P = 0.024).ConclusionsSignificant weight reduction was common after subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer with a negative correlation pre-operative plasma ghrelin levels. Incretin hormones are modestly but significantly increased after subtotal gastrectomy; however, these changes did not affect the weight changes.

Changes in plasma ghrelin levels following surgical and non-surgical weight-loss in female rats predict alcohol use

The weight-loss surgery Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a relatively effective, long-term treatment option for patients with morbid obesity. However, accumulating clinical evidence suggests that patients receiving RYGB may be at increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder. This observation has been repeatedly supported by preclinical studies showing rodents increase intake of ethanol (EtOH) after RYGB, and has been further confirmed by human studies. A promising alternative to RYGB is sleeve gastrectomy (SG), which has resulted in decreased EtOH consumption in some rodent studies. The exact mechanism underlying the differential alcohol outcomes after RYGB versus SG has yet to be elucidated. However, the gut hormone ghrelin has emerged as a potential candidate from previous preclinical studies specific to RYGB surgeries and due to its action to stimulate food and alcohol intake and cravings. To directly assess changes in plasma ghrelin levels following weigh loss surgeries in the context of alcohol intake, 24 female rats were separated into three surgical groups receiving RYGB, SG, or Sham surgery followed by caloric restriction to produce adiposity matched controls (Sham-AM). Blood was drawn for fasted and fed plasma ghrelin (acyl and des-acyl) assays at multiple time points: while on a normal diet (ND), after 5-week exposure to a high fat diet (HFD), following surgery, and after a series of two-bottle alcohol choice test with increasing concentrations (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%) of EtOH. Consistent with previous observations, RYGB rats drank more EtOH than SG rats across all concentrations. As expected, fasted ghrelin levels were blunted after HFD feeding, compared to normal diet baseline. After RYGB, fasted ghrelin levels returned to higher levels while remained blunted after SG and Sham-AM. Fed acyl ghrelin levels were significantly increased to above “normal” levels after RYGB, but remain low after SG and Sham-AM. Given that post-RYGB acyl ghrelin levels are raised to a fasted state regardless of actual prandial status, we conclude that RYGB may results in a hormonal state reminiscence of a fasted state with the inability of feeding to inhibit ghrelin production, an effect which could potentially contribute to increased EtOH intake following the surgery. In contrast, following SG, ghrelin levels in rats remain consistent with the fed state regardless of prandial status, potentially explaining lower alcohol intake and lower risk of developing AUD.

Association of Plasma and mRNA Expression Levels of Ghrelin with Nutritional Status in Egyptian Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Regular Hemodialysis

Association of Plasma and mRNA Expression Levels of Ghrelin with Nutritional Status in Egyptian Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Regular Hemodialysis

Gut peptide changes in patients with obstructive jaundice undergoing biliary drainage: A prospective case control study.

BACKGROUNDBiliary obstruction is a relatively common condition that affects approximately 5 in 1000 people annually. Malnutrition is very common in patients with biliary obstruction and since it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, it is important to identify factors and mechanisms involved in its development.AIMTo determine the influence of obstructive jaundice on the hormones controlling appetite and nutritive status.METHODSThis was a prospective case control study performed in a tertiary center in Zagreb, Croatia. Patients with biliary obstruction undergoing internal biliary drainage from September 2012 until August 2013 were enrolled. After excluding patients who developed procedure related complications or were lost in the follow-up, out of initial 73 patients, 55 patients were included in the analysis, including 34 with benign and 21 with malignant disease. Meanwhile, 40 non-jaundiced controls were also included. Appetite, nutritional status, and serum ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were determined at admission, 48 h and 28 d after internal biliary drainage. Chi square test was used for categorical variables. Continuous variables were analysed for normality by Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and relevant non-parametric (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman) or parametric (t-test and analysis of variance) tests were used.RESULTSPatients with obstructive jaundice were significantly malnourished compared to controls, regardless of disease etiology. Plasma ghrelin and CCK levels were significantly higher in patients with obstructive jaundice. Serum bilirubin concentrations were negatively correlated with ghrelin levels and positively correlated with TNF-α, but had no correlation with CCK concentrations. After internal biliary drainage, a significant improvement of nutritional status was observed although serum concentrations of ghrelin, IL-6, and TNF-α remained significantly elevated even 28 d after the procedure. CCK levels in patients without malnutrition remained elevated 28 d after the procedure, but in patients with malnutrition, CCK levels decreased to levels comparable with those in the control group. We have not established any correlation between appetite and serum levels of ghrelin, CCK, IL-6, and TNF-α before and after biliary drainage.CONCLUSIONPossible abnormalities in ghrelin and CCK regulation may be associated with the development of malnutrition during the inflammatory response in patients with biliary obstruction.

The Combinatory Effect of Spirulina Supplementation and Resistance Exercise on Plasma Contents of Adipolin, Apelin, Ghrelin, and Glucose in Overweight and Obese Men.

Methods The current investigation was conducted in a single-blind and quasiexperimental fashion. Sixty overweight and obese men (BMI > 25) ranging in age from 30 to 55 years were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to one of four groups: training plus spirulina (T+S), training plus placebo (T+P), spirulina (S), or placebo (P). For eight weeks, the (S) and (P) groups consumed two 500 mg spirulina and placebo capsules daily, respectively. Resistance training was performed three sessions a week over eight weeks, consisting of 12 movements with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-minute rest intervals and 40-90 percent maximal repetition. Adipolin, apelin, and ghrelin indices were measured before and after exercise using special kits. Results All variables changed significantly between groups except for apelin. Within-group comparisons revealed a substantial increase in adipolin levels in the (T+S) and (T+P) groups (P < 0.05). Apelin levels were decreased in the (T+S) and (T+P) groups. Additionally, FBS levels reduced significantly in (T+S) (P = 0.01). Conclusion It seems that eight weeks of circuit resistance training and spirulina supplementation can lead to reduced weight and apelin and FBS levels as well as increased concentrations of adipolin and ghrelin contents in overweight and obese men.

Maternal Chronic Perceived Stress, but Not Acute Stress Exposure, Is Associated With Ghrelin Levels Among Hispanic Pregnant Women With Overweight or Obesity

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to test the effects of maternal chronic and acute psychological stress on plasma ghrelin levels among pregnant women with overweight or obesity.MethodsN = 33 Hispanic women without diabetes and a pre-pregnancy BMI of 25.0–34.9 Kg/m2 participated in a crossover study at 28–32 weeks’ gestation. Perceived stress levels over the past month were assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale. Women attended the lab in the fasted state on two separate days and consumed a breakfast shake immediately after a fasting blood and saliva sample collection on each visit, followed by a 15 minute task: friendly conversation (control) on visit 1 or the standardized Trier Social Stress Test on visit 2 to elicit acute stress. Six postprandial blood and saliva samples were collected at intervals up to 2 hours post-prandial and assayed for ghrelin and cortisol, respectively. The area-under-the-curve (AUC) for ghrelin and cortisol were computed. Differences in ghrelin AUC between visits were compared by paired t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA adjusting for gestational age at visit 2. Associations between perceived stress scores with fasting and ghrelin AUC, and between cortisol AUC and ghrelin AUC following acute stress exposure were analyzed by linear regression, adjusting for gestational age.ResultsPerceived stress score was positively associated with ghrelin levels both in the fasted (beta = 0.06, p = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.12) and postprandial state (beta = 0.05, p = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.09), which remained significant after adjusting for gestational age. Mean ghrelin AUC following a meal was lower after acute stress compared to the control condition (10.19 ± 0.37 vs 10.24 ± 0.40, p = 0.03), but this difference was not significant after adjusting for gestational age (p = 0.59). Salivary cortisol reactivity to acute stress was also not associated with ghrelin AUC (beta = −0.02, p = 0.92, 95% CI = −0.38, 0.35).ConclusionsChronic perceived stress in pregnant women with overweight and obesity may contribute to higher ghrelin levels both in the fasted state and after consuming a meal. Postprandial ghrelin is not affected by acute stress exposure in this population of women in the third trimester of pregnancy.Funding SourcesNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Impact of dietary betaine supplementation on appetite hormones and blood biochemical parameters in Karan Fries heifer during summer in tropics

The present research ascertained variation in plasma levels of ghrelin and leptin, and blood biochemical parameters under summer conditions in Karan Fries (KF) heifers (n=18) supplemented with two levels of betaine. Present appraisal was conducted on Karan Fries heifers selected randomly. Experiment was divided into two phases: Experiment-I (thermoneutral season) and Experiment–II (summer season: hot-dry and hot-humid season). KF heifers were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6) of Control, Treatment I (Betaine supplemented @ 25 g/d/ animal) and Treatment II (Betaine supplemented @ 50 g/d/animal). Average maximum and minimum environmental temperatures were 23.5°C and 9.9°C and 35.3°C and 22.4°C, during Experiment I and Experiment II respectively.Blood samples were collected at fortnightly intervals. Betaine supplementation at 25 g/d and 50 g/d resulted in significant increase in plasma ghrelin, leptin, protein and cholesterol level and significant decrease in NEFA and triglycerides levels. However non-significant effect on plasma glucose levels were observed on increasing THI