Ghrelin receptor expression in lymphocytes isolated from adult cystic fibrosis patients.
BACKGROUND
To explore mechanisms of weight loss in cystic fibrosis (CF), we studied ghrelin receptor expression on isolated lymphocytes from CF subjects with different body mass indices (BMIs). Eating behavior is influenced by hormone peptides such as ghrelin, a potent appetite stimulator. However, studies on ghrelin plasma levels in CF showed it to be increased in cachectic subjects, the expected physiological response.


OBJECTIVE
(1) To compare ghrelin receptor expression between clinically stable CF subjects with normal BMI, CF subjects with cachexia and healthy controls. (2) To investigate ghrelin receptor expression in the same CF subjects before and after treatment for an acute exacerbation.


METHODS
Lymphocytes were isolated from CF patients with normal BMI and low BMI and from controls. Ghrelin receptor quantification was determined via flow cytometry. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance, and plasma levels of ghrelin, TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 were determined.


RESULTS
CF subjects with low BMI had increased inflammation evidenced by increased plasma cytokines and showed decreased lymphocytic ghrelin receptor expression. Ghrelin receptor expression in the CF group with normal BMI was similar to controls; it decreased during an acute exacerbation associated with weight loss and returned to baseline following treatment and recovery of the weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences exist in ghrelin receptor expression in lymphocytes isolated from stable CF patients with different BMIs. These changes may be due to a disordered pathological response to weight loss.
Cohen
Rubin I
RI
Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, NY, USA. rcohen@lij.edu
Chandra
Subani
S
Koenig
Seth
S
Tsang
Donna
D
Wilson
David
D
McCloskey
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000855:Anorexia / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin