Correlation between fasting plasma ghrelin levels and age, body mass index (BMI), BMI percentiles, and 24-hour plasma ghrelin profiles in Prader-Willi syndrome.
Ghrelin is a GH-releasing acylated peptide found in the stomach and a centrally acting food intake stimulator. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by a voracious appetite and increased fasting ghrelin levels. In this report we describe 24-h ghrelin profiles in PWS children (n = 5) and compare these with age, sex, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls (n = 5). A 3- to 4-fold increase in ghrelin levels was found in PWS over a 24-h period, compared with controls (P < 0.001). Interestingly, there was a greater tendency for the up-regulation of ghrelin level in lean PWS than in obese PWS. To confirm this finding, we measured fasting ghrelin levels in 39 patients with PWS. Inverse correlations were found between plasma ghrelin levels and the following: age (r = -0.408, P = 0.005), BMI (r = -0.341, P = 0.017), percentage of the ideal weight for age (r = -0.382, P = 0.008), and BMI percentile (r = -0.311, P = 0.027). Our data show that there may be a suppressive (or up-regulating) controlling mechanism of ghrelin secretion in obese (or lean) PWS children. We hope that our data may further explain the mechanisms underlying the insatiable appetite and obesity characteristic of PWS.
Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, Korea.
Kyung Hoon
KH
Paik
Dong-Kyu
DK
Jin
Sang Yong
SY
Song
Ji Eun
JE
Lee
Si Hwan
SH
Ko
Seng Mi
SM
Song
Jung Sim
JS
Kim
Yoo Joung
YJ
Oh
Sun Woo
SW
Kim
Soo Hyun
SH
Lee
Sung Hye
SH
Kim
Eun Kyung
EK
Kwon
Yon Ho
YH
Choe
D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*
D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones