Acute One-Cigarette Smoking Decreases Ghrelin Hormone in Saliva: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is commonly associated with weight loss and mechanisms for these weight changes are still elusive. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that works in a neuroendocrine fashion to stimulate hunger and the desire for food intake. Ghrelin is also secreted in saliva, probably to enhance food taste. In the current study, we tested the direct impact of acute cigarette smoking on total ghrelin found in saliva. Methods. Blood and saliva samples were collected from 30 healthy nonsmoker male volunteers before and after one-cigarette smoke. Total ghrelin in serum and saliva was measured by ELISA based method. Results. Data showed a statistically significant reduction in salivary ghrelin after smoking (P < 0.0001). In serum, total ghrelin levels were not affected before and after smoking (P = 0.1362). Additionally, positive correlation was observed between serum and salivary ghrelin before smoking (r = 0.4143 and P = 0.0158); however, this correlation was lost after smoking (r = 0.1147 and P = 0.5461). Conclusion. Acute one-cigarette smoking can negatively affect ghrelin levels in saliva that might contribute to the dull food taste in smokers.

Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Plasma Concentration of the Appetite-Regulating Peptide Ghrelin

“…In line with this, Bouros et al [27] found an acute increase of total ghrelin plasma levels 2, 5, and 15 min after smoking a cigarette in male and female smokers and non-smokers, whereas 60 min after cigarette exposure, they did not find any differences in total ghrelin plasma concentration compared to baseline before cigarette exposure in both groups (smokers and non-smokers). By contrast, Fagerberg et al [28] could show that plasma ghrelin concentrations decreased in smokers as the time of early abstinence increased from 1 to 2 h. Additionally, Kaabi et al [26] could show a significant reduction in the salivary concentration of total ghrelin in 30 healthy non-smoker male volunteers after smoking one cigarette, whereas they could not find changes in the plasma levels of total ghrelin. Kokkinos et al [25] could show cigarette smoking leading to an acute decrease of the total ghrelin plasma levels in non-smoking males, whereas there were no acute changes of ghrelin plasma concentration in smokers after smoking the same number of cigarettes.…”

“…Some studies could not corroborate that smoking or smoking cessation alters ghrelin plasma levels [23,24]. Others found that plasma levels of ghrelin were downregulated in subjects exposed to cigarette smoke [25,26,] which seems to contrast findings showing ghrelin levels to be upregulated by exposure to cigarette smoke [27] and downregulated in abstinent smokers [28]. One research group was able to find high ghrelin plasma levels to predict the risk of relapse in abstinent smokers [29].…”

The Role of Ghrelin/GHS-R1A Signaling in Nonalcohol Drug Addictions

“…However, another study described no immediate effect on the fasting total ghrelin levels of smoking two consecutive cigarettes in habitual smokers and suggested a decrease in the total ghrelin in non-smokers [ 133 ]. Another study in healthy non-smokers found that the total ghrelin levels were not affected by acute cigarette smoking, but that the ghrelin content was significantly reduced in saliva (satiety status not mentioned) [ 134 ]. Two studies have noted that chewing nicotine gum in healthy non-smokers did not significantly affect the blood total/des-acyl ghrelin levels (fasting ghrelin [ 121 ]; satiety status not mentioned [ 135 ]).…”

Evaluation of stress, serum, and salivary ghrelin and cortisol levels in smokers and non‐smokers with Stage III periodontitis: A cross‐sectional study

“…15 In the context of smoking, salivary and serum ghrelin levels are seen to be substantially lower in smokers as compared to non-smokers. 16 In contradiction to this, the serum and salivary cortisol levels are seen to be elevated in smokers as compared to non-smokers. However, the manner in which smoking associated stress and Stage III Periodontitis affect salivary and serum ghrelin levels remains a mystery.…”