Interactions between ghrelin, leptin and IGF-I affect metabolic syndrome and early atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND
High leptin and low ghrelin are associated with the metabolic syndrome (MS).


OBJECTIVE
Ghrelin, leptin (RIA kits), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) (ELISA kit) concentrations of the population-based cohort of 1045 subjects and their interactions with metabolic parameters were analysed. Intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured with carotid ultrasound.


RESULTS
The interaction between leptin and ghrelin on the MS was significant (P = 0.011). An additive effect of high leptin and low ghrelin on metabolic disturbances was observed: low ghrelin concentration (adjusted for age and sex) (P < 0.001) was associated with the MS and type 2 diabetes in the highest but not in the lower leptin quartiles. In the highest leptin quartile, ghrelin concentrations decreased linearly when the number of International Diabetes Federation MS criteria met (P < 0.01) increased. Ghrelin-leptin relation was independently associated with carotid IMT (P < 0.005). The independent positive association (P < 0.01) between the plasma ghrelin quartile and the carotid IMT was evident in the lowest IGF-I quartile.


CONCLUSIONS
Low ghrelin is associated with MS and type 2 diabetes in the presence of insulin and leptin resistance. Ghrelin-leptin relation is associated with early atherosclerosis. The interaction between IGF-I and ghrelin modifies the association of ghrelin with early atherosclerosis.
Ukkola
Olavi
O
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland. olavi.ukkola@oulu.fi
Pöykkö
Seppo
S
Päivänsalo
Markku
M
Kesäniemi
Y Antero
YA
D000328:Adult; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology
D054439:Ghrelin; D020738:Leptin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I