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

Abstract

Background: Weight gain is a common but only a partially understood consequence of smoking cessation. Existing data suggest modulating effects of the orexigenic peptide ghrelin on food intake. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of tobacco withdrawal on plasma concentration of acetylated and total ghrelin. Methods: Fifty four normal-weighted smokers and 30 non-smoking healthy controls were enrolled in our study. Concentrations of acetylated and total ghrelin were measured in blood plasma drawn two hours after a standardized meal and three hours after the smokers smoked their last cigarette. The severity of tobacco addiction was assessed based on cotinine plasma concentration, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Results: The plasma concentration of acetylated ghrelin, but not total ghrelin, was significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers. Moreover, we found significant negative correlations between acetylated ghrelin and all measures of the severity of nicotine dependence. Conclusions: Early abstinence from tobacco smoking seems to be associated with increased plasma concentration of the orexigenic peptide acetylated ghrelin. This could be one reason for increased food craving during nicotine withdrawal and subsequent weight gain. Smokers might compensate these effects by increasing tobacco intake.

Nicotine and Tobacco as Substances of Abuse in Children and Adolescents

“…One study found that soon after abstinence from tobacco smoking, an increase in the plasma concentration of the appetitestimulating peptide acetylated ghrelin occurs. 63 This finding could explain the increased food craving during nicotine withdrawal and subsequent weight gain.…”

Changes in circulating peptide YY and ghrelin are associated with early smoking relapse

“…Total ghrelin has been found to be important in anorexia (Germain et al, 2010; Ogiso, Asakawa, Amitani, & Inui, 2011) though not stress (Kiessl & Laessle, 2016). Finally, within studies of addiction total ghrelin has also been used either in isolation (al’Absi et al, 2014; Bouros et al, 2006; Kokkinos et al, 2007) or in contrasting total and acylated ghrelin (Koopmann et al, 2015). The effects of nicotine, and its absence in addicted smokers, on both forms of ghrelin (acylated ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin) are complex, dynamic, and likely affecting both peripheral (des-acyl) and central (acylated) functions.…”

“…Research indicates that ghrelin levels decline in response to acute cigarette smoking for naïve smokers but not habitual smokers (Kokkinos et al, 2007), though with controlled pharmacological delivery of nicotine (2 mg) ghrelin does not change (Kroemer, Wuttig, Bidlingmaier, Zimmermann, & Smolka, 2014; Pilhatsch et al, 2014). Ghrelin is higher in smokers (actively smoking) than nonsmokers (Koopmann et al, 2015). Successful abstinence from nicotine has also been associated with ghrelin declines (Lee et al, 2006) and lower ghrelin during the first 24–48 h of abstinence is associated with longer time to relapse (al’Absi, Lemieux, & Nakajima, 2014).…”

Medications for alcohol use disorders: An overview

“…Ghrelin receptors are highly expressed in hypothalamus and in the VTA. Expression of GHS-RIA in the hippocampus and substantia nigra, can also act on reward circuitry and modulate addictive disorders such as alcohol and tobacco addiction (Al’Absi et al, 2014; Koopmann et al, 2015, 2016).…”