The relationship of plasma ghrelin level to energy regulation, feeding and left ventricular function in non-diabetic haemodialysis patients.
OBJECTIVE
Inadequate plasma ghrelin levels determine the suppression of appetite, nutritional state and morbidity. We investigated the correlation between plasma ghrelin levels and appetite, nutritional status and cardiovascular morbidity in maintenance haemodialysis (HD) patients.


METHODS
We measured plasma ghrelin levels at 2 h intervals during a 24 h period in 22 non-diabetic HD patients, who were grouped into normal intake or disturbed intake according to subjective global assessments, and in six healthy controls.


RESULTS
A significant positive correlation existed between the 24 h plasma ghrelin profile and most time-specific plasma ghrelin levels in non-diabetic HD patients. Ghrelin levels in the abnormal intake group were higher than those in the normal intake group. A significant positive correlation existed between ghrelin and left ventricle functions, including left ventricle mass index (r = 0.75, P = 0.008), left ventricle mass (r = 0.57, P = 0.03) and interventricular septum thickness (r = 0.70, P = 0.009). An inverse correlation existed between plasma ghrelin and right ventricular dimension (r = -0.45, P = 0.035). Body mass index (r = -0.64, P = 0.033) and body fat content (r = -0.619, P = 0.002) had significant negative correlations with plasma ghrelin.


CONCLUSIONS
Anorexia was found in patients with higher plasma ghrelin levels. Plasma ghrelin levels in non-diabetic HD patients showed a significant correlation with left ventricular function.
Chang
Chia-Chu
CC
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Chunghua Christian Hospital, 135 Nan-Shiao Street, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
Hung
Ching-Hui
CH
Yen
Chaun-Shu
CS
Hwang
Kai-Lin
KL
Lin
Ching-Yuang
CY
D000328:Adult; D000855:Anorexia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001066:Appetite; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D012709:Serum Albumin