title: Assessing the Relationship Between Serum Ghrelin Levels and Metabolic Parameters and Autoimmunity in Patients with Euthyroid Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) may affect metabolic parameters and increase predisposition to obesity. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationships among serum ghrelin concentrations, metabolic parameters, and thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid HT patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 48 euthyroid HT patients and 41 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We assessed serum ghrelin, free triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO), thyroglobulin antibody (anti-Tg), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, lipid levels, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sex distribution, mean age, and body mass index (BMI) were similar in HT patients and controls (female/male, 42/6 vs. 33/8, 46.8 ± 14.7 vs. 45 ± 12.5 years, 28.5 ± 6.1 vs. 28.4 ± 4.9 kg/m2, respectively; P>.05 for all). The mean waist circumference (WC) of the HT group was significantly higher than that of the control group (100.6 ± 14.6 vs. 93.2 ± 13.2 cm, P = .015). While FBG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride levels in the HT group were significantly higher than in the control group, insulin levels and HOMA-IR were similar. Ghrelin levels were lower in HT patients compared to controls (416.9 ± 224.4 and 689.9 ± 191.6 pg/mL, respectively; P<.001). Ghrelin levels were similar in patients with low and high anti-TPO titers. Negative correlations were observed between ghrelin levels and BMI, WC, and anti-TPO levels. Regression analysis revealed that HT was the most important predictor of ghrelin levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Euthyroid HT is associated with a decrease in plasma ghrelin levels. Altered body fat distribution and increased anti-TPO levels do not seem to be directly involved in lower ghrelin levels in euthyroid HT patients.
authors: Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Halil Hüseyin
authors: HH
authors: Biyikli
authors: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Diabetes, Endocrine and Obesity Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors: Ayse
authors: A
authors: Arduc
authors: Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ministry Of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Serhat
authors: S
authors: Isik
authors: Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ministry Of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Ufuk
authors: U
authors: Ozuguz
authors: Atatürk Education and Research Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ministry Of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Sedat
authors: S
authors: Caner
authors: Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Dogru
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Near East University Hospital, Lefkoşa, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors: Ali Ibrahim
authors: AI
authors: Shorbagi
authors: Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Ministry Of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Gonul
authors: G
authors: Erden
authors: Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ministry Of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Dilek
authors: D
authors: Berker
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
authors: Serdar
authors: S
authors: Guler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015551:Autoimmunity; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D054439:Ghrelin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase