Serum Ghrelin Levels in Saudi Obese Asthmatic School-Children—Correlation with Interleukin-4, Interleukin-5, and Interleukin-21

Abstract

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone with direct or indirect effects on obesity and asthma. More data are required to understand the effect of ghrelin on the control and pathogenesis of these diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate ghrelin levels in selected groups of children to identify the association between serum ghrelin, obesity, and the severity of asthma. The study included 401 school children selected from the Najran area and grouped into non-obese asthmatics, obese asthmatics, obese non-asthmatics and controls (non-obese non-asthmatics). Blood levels of ghrelin, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-21 were determined by ELISA. The mean ghrelin values were insignificantly increased in obese children compared with non-obese children. The highest blood ghrelin values were in the non-obese asthmatic group. Serum ghrelin, IL-4 and IL-21 levels were significantly increased in asthmatic children compared with non-asthmatic children (p < 0.05), and there were significant positive correlations between ghrelin and IL-4, IL-5, and IL-21 in asthmatic children. Furthermore, ghrelin, IL-4, and IL-21 levels were significantly higher in uncontrolled asthmatics compared with controlled-asthmatic children (p < 0.05). Asthma was the only significant risk factor for high ghrelin values. This study provides evidence supporting the anti-inflammatory role of ghrelin in the pathogenesis of asthma. Asthma might be considered as an important determinant of high ghrelin values in children.

Regulatory Peptides in Asthma

“…In addition, Matsuda et al [247] described how ghrelin levels negatively correlated with IgE production, leading to the conclusion that ghrelin might inhibit directly or indirectly IgE synthesis. In contrast to the abovementioned research, Al-Ayed et al [248] found higher ghrelin levels in asthmatic children than in non-asthmatic ones. Moreover, subjects with uncontrolled asthma had higher ghrelin than patients with well-controlled disease.…”

abs

“…[12,23]. Although S100B been linked to cerebral ischaemia, developing it into a biomarker for differential diagnosis in clinical practice has been problematic [24,25]. Several writers have claimed that elevated levels of S100B in the blood are not unique to stroke, claiming that the rise occurs in other neurological disorders with similar symptoms [26].…”

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