Serum levels of desacyl ghrelin in patients with schizophrenia on clozapine monotherapy

Abstract

Aim: Desacyl ghrelin is a hormone that might be a functional inhibitor of ghrelin, a potent hungerstimulating peptide. Methods:We determined fasting serum desacyl ghrelin levels in 24 subjects with schizophrenia on clozapine monotherapy and 24 healthy, age-and sex-matched controls. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were combined with body composition determined using bioelectric impedance analysis.Results: There were no differences in desacyl ghrelin levels between patients taking clozapine and the control group (272.09 ± 137.96 vs 259.62 ± 140.91 pg/mL, z = 0.17, P = 0.87). In the clozapine group, there were no differences between men and women for ghrelin levels (246.66 ± 123.17 vs 295.39 ± 151.77 pg/mL, z = −0.98, P = 0.32). In the clozapine group, fasting serum levels of ghrelin negatively correlated with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (r = −0.45, P = 0.03) and ionized calcium (r = −0.45, P = 0.03). Levels of ghrelin were lower in patients with WHR above World Health Organization-defined cut-off points (246.84 ± 114.34 [Q1 = 152.18, Q2 = 220.92, Q3 = 327.85] vs 400.30 ± 123.36 [Q1 = 283.73, Q2 = 414.03, Q3 = 485.8] pg/mL, z = 2.52, P = 0.01). In the clozapine group, there were no correlation with age, height, weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR, blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, uric acid, homocysteine, glucose, insulin, clozapine dose, duration of treatment with antipsychotics, duration of treatment with clozapine, total fat, target fat, basal metabolic rate, target weight, lean weight, body water, homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA) 1-IR, HOMA2-IR and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Conclusion:Based on our results, we cannot conclude that treatment with clozapine affects levels of desacyl ghrelin. Also, in our study population we did not confirm previously described associations between desacyl ghrelin and various metabolic parameters.

Systemic Biomarkers of Accelerated Aging in Schizophrenia: A Critical Review and Future Directions

“…Age Relationships Three articles did not find age to be significantly related to glucose concentration or tolerance, 23,26 insulin concentration and resistance, 26 leptin, 26 C-peptide, 26 or desacyl ghrelin. 39 Additionally, in a large survey study, 25 correlations between vascular risk indicators (eg, total cholesterol, LDL, trigylcerides, and glucose) and age were significantly weaker in patients with psychosis than those in a national comparator sample. Association With Other Factors None of these investigations examined association between metabolic factors and disease-related factors in schizophrenia.…”

Adiposity in schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…This led to inclusion of 29 studies in the final qualitative synthesis and quantitative meta‐analysis (Figure ; PRISMA flowchart). 23 studies addressed objective 1 (patients with SCZ spectrum disorders vs. HCs), 27–49 and 10 addressed objective 2 (effect of AP treatment in patients with SCZ spectrum disorders) 38,40–42,50–55 . Study numbers do not add to 29 as four studies addressed both objectives 38,40–42 .…”

Ghrelin mediated regulation of neurosynaptic transmitters in depressive disorders

“…Many studies have shown the impact of an antipsychotic drug on ghrelin levels ( Togo et al., 2004 ). While a few examinations propose an expansion of ghrelin because of treatment with atypical antipsychotics ( Esen-Danaci et al., 2008 ; Sentissi et al., 2009 ) others find no distinction ( Himmerich et al., 2005 ) or abatement in ghrelin levels ( Tanaka et al., 2008 ; Wysokiński et al., 2014 ). Curiously, antipsychotics found increased ghrelin in patients who experienced a weight gain ( Jin et al., 2008 ), perhaps suggesting a disturbance of the negative criticism instrument of ghrelin emission.…”