Serum Ghrelin Levels Research Articles

Obesity and depressive symptoms: Investigating the mediating role of fasting ghrelin serum levels

Obesity and depressive symptoms: Investigating the mediating role of fasting ghrelin serum levels

Effects of Diet Macronutrient Composition on Weight Loss during Caloric Restriction and Subsequent Weight Regain during Refeeding in Aging Mice.

Caloric restriction (CR) induces weight loss, but is associated with rapid weight regain upon return to ad libitum feeding. Our aim was to investigate effects of the macronutrient composition of the diet on weight loss and regain in elderly mice. Males, 18 months old, of the C57BL/6J strain were subjected to 4-week 30% CR followed by 4 weeks of ad libitum refeeding on either high-carb (HC), high-fat (HF) or high-protein (HP) diets (n = 22 each). Mice (n = 11) fed a chow diet ad libitum served as a control group (CON). Body mass and food intake were monitored daily. Twenty-four-hour indirect calorimetry was used to assess energy expenditure and substrate oxidation. Muscle and fat mass were evaluated with dissection of the tissues. Serum leptin and ghrelin levels were also measured. CR-induced weight loss did not differ between the diets. Weight regain was particularly fast for HF as mice overshot their initial weight by 12.8 ± 5.7% after 4-week refeeding when HC and HP mice reached the weight of the CON group. Weight regain strongly correlated with energy intake across the groups. The respiratory exchange ratio was lower in HF mice (0.81 ± 0.03) compared to HC (0.94 ± 0.06, p < 0.001), HP (0.89 ± 0.04, p < 0.001) and CON mice (0.91 ± 0.06, p < 0.01) during the refeeding. Serum leptin levels were higher in HF mice (1.03 ± 0.50 ng/mL) compared to HC (0.46 ± 0.14, p < 0.001), HP (0.63 ± 0.28, p < 0.05) or CON mice (0.41 ± 0.14, p < 0.001). Thus, CR induces similar weight loss in aging mice irrespective of the diet's macronutrient composition. An HF diet leads to excessive energy intake and pronounced gain in body fat in spite of increased fat oxidation and serum leptin during the refeeding after CR.

Effect of Yunkang Oral Solution on pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Yunkang Oral Solution on the improvement of spleen deficiency and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome induced by irregular diet and over consumption of cold and bitter foods. To simulate human irregular diet and over consumption of cold and bitter foods leading to spleen deficiency, the pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome were prepared using an alternate-day fasting and high-fat diet combined with oral administration of Sennae Folium. During the experiment, spleen deficiency-related indicators and diarrhea-related parameters were measured. Gastric and intestinal motility(gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate) were evaluated. The levels of serum ghrelin, growth hormone(GH), gastrin(Gas), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), chorionic gonadotropin β(β-CG), progesterone(P), and estradiol(E_2) were measured. Intestinal barrier function in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome was assessed. Conception rate, ovarian coefficient, litter-bearing uterine coefficient, number of live fetuses, average fetal weight, and fetal length were calculated. The results showed that Yunkang Oral Solution significantly improved spleen deficiency-related indicators and diarrhea in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome, increased gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate, elevated the levels of gastrointestinal hormones(ghrelin, GH, and Gas) in the serum, and reduced lipid levels(TC and LDL-c), thereby improving lipid metabolism disorders. It also improved colonic tissue morphology, increased the number of goblet cells, and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of occludin and claudin-1 in colonic tissues, thereby alleviating intestinal barrier damage. Yunkang Oral Solution also regulated the levels of pregnancy hormones(β-CG, P, and E_2) in the serum of pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome. Moreover, it increased the conception rate, ovarian coefficient, litter-bearing uterine coefficient, number of live fetuses, average fetal weight, and fetal length. These findings suggest that Yunkang Oral Solution can improve spleen deficiency-related symptoms in pregnant mice before and during pregnancy, regulate pregnancy-related hormones, and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Ameliorative effects of aerobic training in girls with precocious puberty: role of leptin and ghrelin

This study was an attempt to examine the changes in serum levels of ghrelin and leptin after 12-weeks of aerobic training and gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) treatment in girls with central precocious puberty. Thirty girls (6–8 years old) with precocious puberty who had received Triptorelin were randomly divided in two groups (medication and medication + training). Fifteen age-matched healthy girls (without precocious puberty) were also included as the control group. The medication + training group submitted an aerobic training program for 3 days/week with 20–75 min per day and 45–75% of maximum heart rate for 12-weeks. Serum levels of leptin, ghrelin, cholesterol, triglycerides and body mass index (BMI) were determined at baseline and 48 h after the last training session. The results indicated that leptin significantly decreased (p = 0.001) and ghrelin significantly increased (p = 0.001) in the medication + training group but no significant difference was observed in the ghrelin (p = 1) and leptin (p = 0.78) in the medication group. Leptin to ghrelin ratio indicated a decrease in medicine + training group (p = 0.028). Ghrelin were negatively correlated with leptin and BMI. The data indicated that aerobic training increased ghrelin and reduced leptin and leptin to ghrelin ratio but GnRH agonist treatment had no effect on plasma leptin and ghrelin levels.

Effects of Pinealectomy and Melatonin Application on Serum Melatonin, Nesfatin-1 and Ghrelin Levels

Objective:In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between the pineal gland and ghrelin and nesfatin-1 hormones in rats. Methods: A total of 36 male rats were used in the study, and the animals were divided into 4 groups. Group 1, Control; Group 2, Pinealectomy (Px); Group 3, Px+Melatonin; Group 4 Melatonin. After the end of the experimental applications, melatonin, ghrelin and nesfatin-1 levels (ELISA) were determined in the blood samples taken from the animals. Results: While pinealectomy resulted in suppression of melatonin levels, melatonin supplementation led to a significant increase in blood melatonin levels (p&lt;0.01). Melatonin supplementation suppressed ghrelin levels, while pinealectomy increased ghrelin levels (P&lt;0.01). On the other hand, Nesfatin-1 levels, which increased with melatonin support, were significantly suppressed by pinealectomy (p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: The results of the current study show that the pineal gland may have important effects on the hormones ghrelin and nesfatin-1, which play critical roles in nutrition. In conclusion melatonin supplementation inhibites ghrelin, and but increases nesfatin-1.

Evaluation of Serum Ghrelin and Leptin Levels in Patients with Celiac Disease, Type1Diabetes Mellitus and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ghrelin and leptin are two hormones that possess multiple functions, including appetite regulation, maintenance of the tissue homeostasis and regulation of proinflammatory cytokines. A few studies on serum ghrelin and leptin levels in autoimmune diseases have exhibited conflicting results. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the two energy balance hormones and autoimmune diseases. Serum ghrelin and leptin levels were assessed in 94 adult patients, 61 females and 33 males, with various autoimmune diseases (celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis) as well as in 35 healthy people as controls, using commercially available ELISA kits. Statistically important distinctions (P &lt; 0.05) were found between the patients and controls with regard to serum ghrelin and leptin levels. Moreover, females had higher mean serum ghrelin and leptin levels than males. On the other hand, serum ghrelin level was positively correlated with serum leptin levels (r = 0.399, P &lt; 0.05) in the RA group. Whereas no significant correlation (P &gt; 0.05) was found between serum ghrelin and leptin levels in both CD and T1DM groups. As well as the correlation of the diseases biomarkers (tissue transglutaminase antibodies, anti-tTG; glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies, anti-GAD; and cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, anti-CCP) with ghrelin/leptin levels revealed that anti-CCP was the only marker that significantly (P &lt; 0.05) associated with ghrelin and leptin in patients with RA. The current study indicates a linkage between the immune system and metabolic hormones depending on response to different autoimmune conditions. Additional studies are required to understand whether changes in ghrelin-leptin levels influence the emergence of autoimmune diseases or vice versa.

A new obesity treatment method that does not require restriction in food intake and organ resection

Background/Aim: There are numerous treatment methods available for obesity, with bariatric surgery being the most effective. However, these techniques come with the risk of serious complications. This study presents a novel obesity treatment device that can shorten the length of the small intestine without the need for surgical intervention. Methods: Our new device comprises three main components: a 25 cm long rope, with one end attached to a 1 cm diameter plastic ring and the other end attached to a 2 mm diameter, 5 g sphere. Twenty-one male Wistar albino rats (6 months old, mean weight 400 g, outbred) were divided into three equal groups. Laparotomy and gastrotomy were performed on the subjects in Group 1, and all three parts of the device were placed into the gastrointestinal tract. In Group 2, only the plastic ring was placed in the stomach, and in Group 3, only a gastrotomy was performed. All subjects were followed for 3 months, during which their body weight, serum ghrelin, leptin, and nesfatin-1 levels were recorded, and the amount of food they consumed was measured. After sacrificing the animals, the stomach, proximal, and distal intestines were resected for histopathological evaluation. Results: The subjects in Group 1 experienced weight loss, whereas those in Groups 2 and 3 showed statistically significant weight gain (P&lt;0.001 and P=0.022, respectively). Serum ghrelin levels were significantly increased in Groups 1 and 3 (P=0.015 and 0.031, respectively), while serum leptin levels were significantly decreased in Group 1 (P=0.015). Plasma nesfatin-1 levels were significantly higher in Group 1 compared to the other groups (P=0.014). There was no statistically significant difference in feed consumption between the groups. Histopathological examination revealed significantly higher fibrosis and inflammation scores in the proximal small intestine of Group 1 compared to the other groups (P=0.008 and P=0.005, respectively). Conclusions: This new device facilitates rapid and effective weight loss without the need for restricting oral food intake or organ resection. Changes in serum ghrelin, leptin, and nesfatin-1 levels did not affect these results. We hypothesize that the effective weight loss is linked to the shortening of the small intestine length. Our future plans involve modifying the device for endoscopic application in humans.

Analysis of Serum Ghrelin Levels and BMI in Obese and Non-Obese Subjects

Obesity is excessive body fat and was associated with the importance of metabolic and endocrine problems in somatotropic secretion in functional obesity. Ghrelin is an acylated peptide hormone produced by the stomach, which is a mediator of the growth hormone secretory receptor. The activity of ghrelin stimulates the release of growth hormone, and appetite and stimulates the metabolism of carbohydrates. Circulating ghrelin levels in healthy people increase during fasting and decrease after meals. This study aims to analyze the difference in ghrelin levels among obese and non-obese subjects. A cross-sectional design research was conducted in August 2022. The samples consisted of obese and non-obese subjects based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Ghrelin levels were measured using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney and Spearman tests. p&lt;0.05 was reported significant. The samples consisted of 80 obese and non-obese subjects, 39 males and 41 females. There was no difference in ghrelin serum levels in the obese group (1.45±2 ng/mL) compared to the non-obese group (0.67±0.25 ng/mL) with p =0.233 (p&gt;0.05). There was a positive correlation between ghrelin levels and BMI (r=0.247). There was no difference in ghrelin levels between the obese group and the non-obese group, and there was a positive correlation between ghrelin levels and BMI. A higher BMI would lead to higher ghrelin levels.

Leptin, but not ghrelin, is associated with food addiction scores in a population-based subject sample.

Ghrelin and leptin are both peptide hormones and act as opposing players in the regulation of hunger, satiety and energy expenditure. Leptin reduces appetite and feelings of hunger and is secreted mainly by adipocytes, while ghrelin increases appetite and food intake and reduces metabolic rate. Both hormones have been implicated in addictive disorders. Ghrelin was shown to have pro-addictive effects while leptin's role in addiction yields more conflicting results. Their involvement in the regulation of both food intake and addictive behaviors make them interesting candidates when investigating the regulation of food addiction. However, only few human studies have been performed and large-scale studies are lacking to date. We aimed to investigate the association between total ghrelin and leptin serum levels with scores in the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS). Subjects were recruited in the LIFE Adult cohort. 909 subjects were included in the analysis and we performed univariate multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex (in total group analyses only), alcohol consumption, smoking status, BMI scores, cortisol concentrations, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) sum scores. The dependent variable was the YFAS score. In men, leptin serum levels showed a significant positive association (standardized β = 0.146; p = 0.012) with the YFAS score. This finding was confirmed in an extreme-group comparison: men in the highest quartile of leptin levels had significantly higher YFAS sum scores than men in the lowest quartile (1.55 vs. 1.18; p = 0.00014). There was no association with YFAS sum score in the total group (standardized β = -0.002; p = 0.974) or in women (standardized β = -0.034; p = 0.674). Total serum ghrelin showed no association with YFAS sum score neither in the total group (standardized β = -0.043; p = 0.196) nor in men (n = 530; standardized β = -0.063; p = 0.135) or women (n = 379; standardized β = -0.035; p = 0.494). Our findings are in line with previous literature and suggest that total ghrelin serum levels are not associated with food addiction scores. Leptin had been previously shown to be associated with food addiction and we confirmed this finding for men in a large, population-based approach.

The Effects of 12-Week Hydrogen-Rich Water Intake on Body Composition, Short-Chain Fatty Acids Turnover, and Brain Metabolism in Overweight Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to analyze the effects of medium-term supplementation with hydrogen-rich water on brain metabolism, appetite-regulating hormones, body composition, and safety biomarkers in overweight adults. Twenty (n = 20, 10 females) apparently healthy adults with a body mass index &gt;24.9 kg/m2 were assigned to receive 0.5 L per day of hydrogen-rich water (7.5 mg of hydrogen) or hydrogen-free water (tap water) for 12 weeks. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures revealed a significant difference between the two interventions in several body composition indices (P ≤ 0.05), with hydrogen-rich water superior to placebo to reduce waist circumference and mid-upper arm circumference by 1.31 cm (95% confidence interval, from –0.23 to 2.85) and 0.65 cm (95% confidence interval, from –0.10 to 1.40), respectively. Hydrogen-rich water outcompeted placebo to raise serum ghrelin levels, as the mean difference from the placebo group was 17.28 pmol/L (95% confidence interval, from 1.81 to 32.75) (P = 0.02). A non-significant strong positive trend (P = 0.10) was reported toward hydrogen-rich water being superior to placebo in augmenting total serum short-chain fatty acid levels, with a mean difference from the control group of 195.6 μmol/L (95% confidence interval, from –64.55 to 275.85). The mean fecal calprotectin levels were significantly reduced after hydrogen-rich water intervention for 19.7 μg/mg (95% confidence interval, from 0.31 to 39.09) (P = 0.03). Our findings advance hydrogen-rich water as a promising metabolic intervention in overweight adults, but further validation via multicentric longitudinal randomized controlled trials in metabolic and nutritional disorders is required.

Decreased Synovial Fluid Ghrelin Level Is Associated With Acute Cartilage Injury in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear.

Ghrelin, an amino acid hormone secreted primarily from the stomach, can regulate bone metabolism, regulate inflammation via suppressing proinflammatory cytokines, and suppress expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). To measure synovial fluid levels of ghrelin in young patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear to assess the role of ghrelin as a potential biomarker for cartilage injury. Controlled laboratory study. This study included 120 patients who underwent ACL reconstructionbetween January 1, 2016, and May 31, 2021. We categorized 60 patients with acute cartilage injury (International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society grade 2 or 3) as the acute group and 60 patients with no acute cartilage injury as the nonacute group, with the healthy contralateral knee of each patient acting as the control group (n = 120). Synovial fluid samples were collected from the knees in the operating room before ACL reconstruction. We assessed the inflammatory biomarkers interleukin (IL)-6, MMP-1, MMP-9, and MMP-13, as well as serum ghrelin level and Mankin score, and results were compared between the 3 study groups with the Mann-Whitney U test. Lower serum ghrelin levels in the synovial fluid were found in the acute group compared with the nonacute group and healthy controls (232.4 vs 434.4 vs 421.5 pg/mL, respectively; P < .001). Ghrelin level in the synovial fluid was significantly and positively correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.4223; P < .0001), MMP-13 (r = 0.3402; P < .0001), and Mankin score (r = 0.1453; P = .0244). In patients with ACL injury, ghrelin synovial fluid was significantly differently expressed in patients with cartilage injury and no cartilage injury. Ghrelin synovial fluid has the potential to be a biomarker to predict acute cartilage injury in patients with ACL injury.

Koroner arter hastalığında ghrelin ve ghrelin leu72met polimorfizmi arasındaki ilişki

Purpose: Ghrelin represents a hormone, which is defined as an endogenous ligand bound to the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHS-R1a). However, the mechanisms that underlie ghrelin’s impacts on cardiovascular diseases have not been completely detected. For this reason, we aimed to research the relationship between serum ghrelin and ghrelin gene polymorphism in coronary artery disease (CAD). &#x0D; Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 88 patients diagnosed with a minimum of one coronary artery stenosis over 70%, and the control group comprised 81 individuals without coronary artery lesions. An autoanalyzer was used to analyze fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid parameter levels. Ghrelin levels were examined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.&#x0D; Results: Ghrelin levels were found to be 2.2 ng/ml in the control group and 2.1 ng/ml in the CAD group. No statistical relation in ghrelin Leu72Met genotypes were detected between the control and patient groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: Serum ghrelin levels were higher in the control group than in the CAD group. Whether ghrelin levels and Leu72Met polymorphism have protective effects in CAD must be revealed in an extensive study group with other polymorphisms and ghrelin expression in the ghrelin gene.

Childhood sexual abuse is associated with higher total ghrelin serum levels in adulthood: results from a large, population-based study

Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide hormone synthesized in times of stress and hunger and alterations of the ghrelin system following acute stressors could be repeatedly shown in humans. However, little data exists on long-term effects of trauma on the ghrelin system. We aimed to investigate the influence of childhood trauma on total ghrelin serum levels in a large, population-based study. Total serum ghrelin was measured in 1666 participants of a population-based cross-sectional study (‘LIFE study’). The Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS) was used for the assessment of childhood trauma in the final sample (n = 1086; mean age: 57.10 ± 16.23 years; 632 males, 454 females). Multiple linear regression analyses and generalized linear models were chosen to examine the association between childhood trauma and total serum ghrelin concentrations. Childhood sexual abuse went along with significantly higher ghrelin serum levels in the total sample (β = 0.114, t = 3.958; p = 0.00008) and in women (β = 0.142, t = 3.115; p = 0.002), but not in men (β = 0.055; t = 1.388; p = 0.166). Women with severe emotional neglect in the childhood had higher ghrelin levels than those without (odds ratio = 1.204; p = 0.018). For the CTS Sum Score and other CTS sub-scale scores, no significant association with ghrelin serum levels was found. Our study is the first to show associations between childhood sexual trauma and total ghrelin levels in adults in a large, community-based sample. Our results should initiate further research of the role of ghrelin in human stress response in prospective study designs.

Is blue light exposure a cause of precocious puberty in male rats?

Our study aimed to examine the effects of blue light exposure on prepubertal male rats' puberty and testis tissue. Eighteen 21-day-old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups consisting of six rats in each group: Control Group (CG), Blue Light-6 hours (BL-6), and Blue Light-12 hours (BL-12). CG rats were maintained with 12/12-hour light-dark cycles. The rats of BL-6 and BL-12 were exposed to blue light (450-470nm/irradiance level 0.03uW/cm2) for 6 hours and 12 hours, respectively. Rats were exposed to blue light until the first signs of puberty. The ELISA method was used to analyze the serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, DHEA-S, leptin, ghrelin, melatonin, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde. Testes were dissected for histomorphological examination. The medians of the pubertal entry days of the CG, BL-6, and BL-12 were 38th, 30th, and 28th days, respectively. (p:0.001) The FSH, LH, and testosterone concentrations of all groups were similar. The FSH concentration increased as the LH concentration increased (r: 0.82 p: 0.001). The serum LH concentration increased as serum testosterone, and DHEAS decreased, respectively (r: -0.561, p: 0.01) (r:-0.55 p:0.01). Testicular lengths and weights of the BL groups were smaller compared to CG (p: 0.03),(p: 0.04). GPx was higher for BL-6 and BL-12 than the CG (p:0.021, p:0.024). Testis tissue was compatible with the pubertal period in all groups. As the blue light exposure time increased, spermatogenesis was suppressed, and capillary dilatation and edema in the testis tissue increased. Our study is the first to show the effects of blue light exposure on male rats' puberty process. And we showed that exposure to blue light and the duration of exposure lead to precocious puberty in male rats. The blue light exposure suppressed spermatogenesis, marked vasodilatation in the interstitial area of the testis, and disrupted the integrity of the basement membrane. These findings intensified with increasing exposure time.

The Association between Blood SIRT1 and Ghrelin, Leptin, and Antibody Anti-Hypothalamus: A Comparison in Normal Weight and Anorexia Nervosa.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a sensor of cell energy availability, regulating metabolic homeostasis as well as leptin and ghrelin, and it could be considered as a potential plasmatic marker. The aim of this study was to assess whether circulating SIRT1 varies consistently with leptin, ghrelin, body mass index (BMI), and IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens in anorexia nervosa (AN). Fifty-four subjects were evaluated: 32 with AN and 22 normal-weight control subjects. Serum levels of SIRT1, leptin, ghrelin, and IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens were evaluated by ELISA. Results showed that serum SIRT1 is increased in patients with AN, and the amount is decreased in relation to the duration of the illness. SIRT1 concentration approaches the values obtained for the control group, although the difference is still statistically significant. A negative correlation between serum SIRT1 values and leptin or BMI values has been found. On the contrary, a positive correlation between SIRT1 and ghrelin or IgG specific for hypothalamic antigens is reported. These findings suggest that a peripheral evaluation of SIRT1 could be a possible clinical/biochemical parameter related to AN. In addition, we can assume that SIRT1 is related to autoantibody production and may correlate with the intensity/severity of AN. Thus, reducing the production of autoantibodies specific for hypothalamic cells could be a sign of improvement of the clinical condition.

Appetite hormone dysregulation and executive dysfunction among adolescents with bipolar disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.

Appetite hormone dysregulation may play a role in the pathomechanisms of bipolar disorder and chronic irritability. However, its association with executive dysfunction in adolescents with bipolar disorder and those with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) remains unclear. We included 20 adolescents with bipolar disorder, 20 adolescents with DMDD, and 47 healthy controls. Fasting serum levels of appetite hormones, including leptin, ghrelin, insulin, and adiponectin were examined. All participants completed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Generalized linear models with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, and clinical symptoms revealed that patients with DMDD had elevated fasting log-transformed insulin levels (p = .023) compared to the control group. Adolescents with DMDD performed worse in terms of the number of tries required to complete tasks associated with the first category (p = .035), and adolescents with bipolar disorder performed worse in terms of the number of categories completed (p = .035). A positive correlation was observed between log-transformed insulin levels and the number of tries required for the first category (β = 1.847, p = .032). Adolescents with DMDD, but not those with bipolar disorder, were more likely to exhibit appetite hormone dysregulation compared to healthy controls. Increased insulin levels were also related to executive dysfunction in these patients. Prospective studies should elucidate the temporal association between appetite hormone dysregulation, executive dysfunction, and emotional dysregulation.

Ghrelin and Leptin Concentrations in Patients after SARS-CoV2 Infection.

SARS-CoV2 infection can lead to severe cytokine storm especially in obese patients. Ghrelin acts not only as an appetite regulator but can also play a key role in the immune reaction. Leptin, secreted mainly by the white adipose tissue, can act as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. The crucial question is whether or not the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients with obesity is linked to adipokine dysregulation. The aim of this study was to assess ghrelin and leptin concentrations in patients 6 months after SARS-CoV2 infection in comparison to a control group considering the influence of sex. The study group included 53 patients with a history of COVID-19 and 87 healthy subjects in the control group. Leptin and ghrelin concentrations as well as hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured. A significantly higher ghrelin concentration was observed in the COVID-19 group in comparison to the control group, with a statistically significant impact of sex on the relationship between COVID-19 and ghrelin concentration, which was lower in the males. No statistically significant differences in leptin concentration were observed between the groups. A significant negative correlation was observed between ghrelin and testosterone and morning cortisol levels in the COVID-19 group. The current study showed that ghrelin levels were significantly higher in patients 6 months after a mild course of SARS-CoV2 infection. To confirm the hypothetical protective role of ghrelin in the inflammatory process, it would be necessary to compare serum ghrelin levels between patients after mild and severe courses of COVID-19. Due to the small sample size and the lack of patients with a severe course of COVID-19, these observations need further investigation. There were no differences in leptin concentrations between the COVID-19 patients and the control group.

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.

Effect of adipokine and ghrelin levels on BMD and fracture risk: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Circulating adipokines and ghrelin affect bone remodeling by regulating the activation and differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Although the correlation between adipokines, ghrelin, and bone mineral density (BMD) has been studied over the decades, its correlations are stillcontroversial. Accordingly, an updated meta-analysis with new findings is needed. This study aimed to explore the impact of serum adipokine and ghrelin levels on BMD and osteoporotic fractures through a meta-analysis. Studies published till October 2020 in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were reviewed. We included studies that measured at least one serum adipokine level and BMD or fracture risk in healthy individuals. We excluded studies with one or more of the following: patients less than 18 years old, patients with comorbidities, who had undergone metabolic treatment, obese patients, patients with high physical activities, and a study that did not distinguish sex or menopausal status. We extracted the data that include the correlation coefficient between adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, and resistin) and ghrelin and BMD, fracture risk by osteoporotic status from eligible studies. A meta-analysis of the pooled correlations between adipokines and BMD was performed, demonstrating that the correlation between leptin and BMD was prominent in postmenopausal women. In most cases, adiponectin levels were inversely correlated with BMD. A meta-analysis was conducted by pooling the mean differences in adipokine levels according to the osteoporotic status. In postmenopausal women, significantly lower leptin (SMD = -0.88) and higher adiponectin (SMD = 0.94) levels were seen in the osteoporosis group than in the control group. By predicting fracture risk, higher leptin levels were associated with lower fracture risk (HR = 0.68), whereas higher adiponectin levels were associated with an increased fracture risk in men (HR = 1.94) and incident vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women (HR = 1.18). Serum adipokines levels can utilize to predict osteoporotic status and fracture risk of patients. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021224855, identifier CRD42021224855.

Ghrelin Modifies the Impact of Life Stress on Suicidality in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

This study investigated associations of life stressors and serum ghrelin levels with suicidal ideation (SI), and evaluated the potential mediating effect of ghrelin on associations between life stressors and SI in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In total, 969 ACS patients recruited from a tertiary university hospital in Korea within 2 weeks of disease onset were evaluated in terms of life stressors (using the List of Threatening Events Questionnaire), serum ghrelin levels, and SI (using the "suicidal thoughts" item of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale). Covariates included sociodemographics, depression, vascular risk factors, and disease severity. After 1 year, 711 patients were re-evaluated in terms of SI; logistic regression was performed with adjustment for covariates. Life stressors were significantly associated with SI at baseline and follow-up. Serum ghrelin showed no such associations, but high levels thereof mediated associations of life stressors with SI; significant interaction terms were also observed after adjustment for covariates. By evaluating life stressors and serum ghrelin levels, clinical prediction of SI in the acute and chronic phases of ACS could be improved.