title: Ghrelin and motilin levels in hyperemesis gravidarum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secratogogue receptor, and its receptors are found in the reproductive organs and placenta. Motilin is produced from the endocrine cells of the duodeno jejunal mucosa and considered to be a regulator of interdigestive migrating contractions. Aim of this study is to investigate ghrelin and motilin levels in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 56 patients with singleton pregnancies in the first trimester were recruited in the study, 39 with hyperemezis gravidarum and 17 normal pregnant women. Patients with medical complications and body mass index <18 or >25 were excluded. Fasting plasma ghrelin and motilin concentrations were measured. Fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen, creatinin, estradiol, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin, and thyroid function tests were also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ghrelin levels were significantly higher in patients with hyperemesis group than the normal pregnant women (p = 0.025). Serum estradiol levels were also higher in the hyperemesis group (p = 0.001). No significant difference was observed in plasma motilin levels between the two groups. In correlation analyses, maternal ghrelin was positively correlated with estradiol (r = 0.29, p = 0.029) in the whole cohort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are a few studies about the course of circulating ghrelin levels during human pregnancy. Ghrelin administration increases food intake through central mechanisms but its effects on appetite in relation to human pregnancy is unknown. The increased levels of ghrelin in hyperemesis gravidarum might be a compensatory mechanism to restore the energy metabolism of the pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. aylasrgn@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ayla Sargın
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Oruç
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mert
authors.forename: Mujde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akturk
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.forename: Belgin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Polat
authors.forename: Umran
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Buyukkagnıcı
authors.forename: Nuri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Danışman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006939:Hyperemesis Gravidarum / Q000097:blood*; D009037:Motilin / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D054439:Ghrelin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D009037:Motilin; D013972:Thyrotropin