Plasma levels of ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin and LEAP2 in children with obesity: correlation with age and insulin resistance

Abstract

Objective The octanoylated peptide hormone ghrelin regulates appetite and glycaemic control. Des-acyl ghrelin abolishes some effects of ghrelin, but does not bind to ghrelin receptor. LEAP2 is a novel ligand for ghrelin receptor that blocks the effects of ghrelin. Some evidences show that plasma levels of these peptides are altered in adults with obesity, but their levels in childhood obesity remain poorly studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess fasting plasma levels of ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin and LEAP2 in children with normoweight, overweight/obesity and their association with different anthropometric and metabolic variables. Design A total of 42 females and 40 males, ages 3–12 years old were enrolled as a cross-sectional cohort. Results Plasma levels of des-acyl ghrelin and LEAP2 (but not ghrelin) were lower and ghrelin/des-acyl ghrelin ratio was higher in children with overweight/obesity. Des-acyl ghrelin negatively correlated with age, BMI z-score, insulin and HOMA index, and the correlations were stronger in children with overweight/obesity. LEAP2 levels negatively correlated with BMI z-score. No gender differences were found. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ghrelin tone is increased in childhood obesity, due to a decrease on plasma levels of des-acyl ghrelin and LEAP2, and that des-acyl ghrelin is associated to insulin resistance, particularly in children with overweight/obesity.

LEAP‐2/ghrelin interplay in adult growth hormone deficiency: Cause or consequence? A pilot study

“…GHRH+arginine stimulation tests were repeated twice in idiopathic aGHD to confirm if they truly had aGHD. Median and interquartile range age of the group was 53 (41–57) years, while BMI was 27.1 25–35 kg/m 2 , as expected due to the features of the syndrome. Group B, Healthy Controls (15 patients, 10 females and 5 males). Median and interquartile range age was 47 (36–57) years, while BMI 22.9 (20.8–33.1) kg/m 2 .…”

Liver Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 2 is Associated with Steatosis in Mice and Humans

“…Moreover, LEAP2 correlated positively with age, BMI, WHR, MRI-PDFF and FibroScan-CAP, which are also consistent with the Mani's report [9] (positive correlation with BMI, body fat and visceral fat). However, the opposite results (inverse correlation with BMI) were reported by Fittipaldi et al [41] in obese children (a cross-sectional cohort) and by Aslanipour et al [42] in women with PCOS (an age-and BMI-matched case-control study). The controversial phenomena may relate to specific population and study design.…”

“…Besides Mani's study [9], there are two other studies evaluated circulating LEAP2 in humans. Fittipaldi et al [41] reported decreased plasma levels of LEAP2 in overweigh/obese children of 3-12 years old. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive disease connects closely to metabolic disorders, e. g. insulin resistance.…”

The role of ghrelin and serotonin in the control of eating behavior in patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2

“…Варто було б очікувати підвищеного рівня греліну в пацієнтів даної категорії. Проте, згідно з даними наукової літератури, рівень ацетильованого греліну, навпаки, знижується в пацієнтів з ожирінням, ЦД 2-го типу та метаболічним синдромом [45,46], що пов'язують із фізіологічною адаптацією організму до позитивного енергетичного балансу, який виникає при ожирінні [47][48][49].…”