title: Low postprandial circulating inactive ghrelin: role of early satiety in undernourished children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine difference in the levels of circulating inactive ghrelin between undernourished and healthy children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present cross-sectional study was conducted in undernourished children from southwestern Iran, from July 2011 through July 2012. Postprandial inactive ghrelin levels were measured in 40 undernourished children and sex- and age-matched healthy controls by enzyme immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of postprandial inactive ghrelin were considerably lower in undernourished compared to the healthy children (6.4 vs. 12.9, P < 0.001). Among the undernourished children, the level of inactive ghrelin was significantly lower in girls than in boys (5.8 vs. 7.1, P = 0.032).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, the levels of inactive ghrelin was found to be low in undernourished children compared to healthy children. Early loss of appetite might be a result of low circulating inactive ghrelin levels in the postprandial state in undernourished children.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand St, 71348-45794, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Khadijehsadat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Najib
authors.forename: Mozhgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moghtaderi
authors.forename: Shirin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farjadian
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falahzadeh
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012528:Satiety Response; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin