BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered as one of the most frequently encountered hormonal pathologies in women during their reproductive years. Leptin and ghrelin, peptide hormones with adipostatic and orexigenic effect, respectively, seem to be involved in the metabolic changes that occur in PCOS. The aim of this study was to determine serum ghrelin and leptin levels in obese and lean Saudi women with PCOS and to investigate their relationship to the metabolic profiles in these women.MethodsThis study was conducted as a prospective, observational, cross-sectional, case-control study, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Al-Noor Hospital, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study population included 252 women [130 women with PCOS (diagnosed according to the Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus, 2003) and 122 normo-ovulatory women as matched controls] attending the outpatient Gynecology Clinic. Demographic details were recorded, blood was extracted following overnight fast and serum was used for the determination of serum ghrelin and leptin levels and other hormonal and biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glucose, and insulin. Insulin resistance and sensitivity were calculated as HOMA-IR and HOMA-S.ResultsNo significant differences in ghrelin (P = 0.1830) and leptin (P = 0.8329) levels were detected between the PCOS and control groups. However, ghrelin levels were significantly lower; and leptin levels were significantly higher in obese PCOS patients in comparison with lean patients (P = 0.0001 for both). In the PCOS group, there were significant correlations between ghrelin and leptin levels with Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and insulin levels. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that insulin was the main determinant for ghrelin (R2 = 0.316) and leptin (R2 = 0.352) levels (P = 0.0001 for both).ConclusionsAlthough serum ghrelin and leptin levels were found to be normal in women with PCOS; yet, there is a relationship, possibly linked to obesity, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance between these levels and metabolic profile of Saudi PCOS.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12944-018-0839-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundIn some populations, obesity and body weight related disorders show a correlation with polymorphisms in three subtypes of beta-adrenoceptor (β1, β2, and β3) [ADRB1, ADRB2 and ADRB3] genes. We scanned for the polymorphism of Arg389Gly (rs1801253) in ADRB1 and Trp64Arg (rs4994) in ADRB3 genes in Saudi population to determine association, if any, of these polymorphisms with obesity and related disorders.MethodsWe studied 329 non-related adults (33.1% men and 66.9% women), aged 18–36 years. Anthropometric measurements were recorded, and Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio were calculated; leptin, insulin, lipidogram, and glucose concentrations were determined. ADRB1 and ADRB3 polymorphisms (Arg389Gly and Trp64Arg, respectively) were screened by DNA sequencing. The subjects were divided into three groups according to BMI: normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI ≥25.1–29.9 kg/m2) subjects, and obese (≥30 kg/m2).ResultsIn the age-matched groups of the normal weight, overweight and obese male and female subjects, all anthropometric parameters were found to be significantly higher, and in the obese group, all biochemical parameters were significantly elevated compared to the normal weight controls. The allelic frequency of Gly389 ADRB1 did not differ amongst the three groups, whereas the frequency of Arg64 of ADRB3 gene was significantly higher in the overweight and obese subjects, compared with the normal weight subjects. In addition, subjects carrying Arg64 allele regardless of their BMI had a greater waist and hip circumference, W/H ratio, plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, leptin, insulin, and glucose level compared to those with the wild-type Trp allele.ConclusionThe results of this study have shown a significant association between the Trp64Arg polymorphism in ADRB3 gene and the development of overweight and obesity in Saudi populations. It also has an influence on the levels of lipid, insulin, leptin, and glucose, whereas, Arg389Gly polymorphism in ADRB1 is not associated with overweight, obesity or dyslipidaemias in Saudis.

The Gln233Arg (A>G; rs1137101) polymorphism of the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) has been investigated extensively and is reported to be associated with different metabolic states. In this investigation, we aimed to study the frequency of Gln233Arg genotypes and alleles in a group of Saudi women stratified by their body mass index (BMI), to correlate the LEPR genotypes with variations in anthropometric, lipid and hormonal parameters and to investigate conformational and structural variations in the mutant LEPR using molecular dynamic (MD) investigations. The study group included 122 Saudi women (normal weight = 60; obese = 62) attending the clinics for a routine checkup. Anthropometric data: height, weight, waist and hip circumference were recorded and fasting serum sample was used to estimate glucose, lipids, ghrelin, leptin and insulin. BMI, W/H ratio, and HOMA-IR values were calculated. Whole blood sample was used to extract DNA; exon 6 of the LEPR gene was amplified by PCR and sequencing was conducted on an ABI 3100 Avant Genetic Analyser. Molecular Dynamic Simulation studies were carried out using different softwares. The results showed the presence of all three genotypes of Gln233Arg in Saudi women, but the frequencies were significantly different when compared to reports from some populations. No differences were seen in the genotype and allele frequencies between the normal weight and obese women. Stratification by the genotypes showed significantly higher BMI, waist and hip circumference, leptin, insulin, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR and lower ghrelin levels in obese women carrying the GG genotype. Even in the normal weight group, individuals with GG genotype had higher BMI, waist and hip circumference and significantly lower ghrelin levels. The MD studies showed a significant effect of the Gln/Arg substitution on the conformation, flexibility, root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), radius of gyration (Rg) values, solvent-accessible surface area (SASA) and number of inter- and intra-molecular H-bonds. The results suggest that the structural changes brought about by the mutation, influence the signaling pathways by some unknown mechanism, which may be contributing to the abnormalities seen in the individuals carrying the G allele of rs1137101.