title: Plasma ghrelin concentrations are negatively correlated with urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aging is associated with a decrease in appetite, energy intake and glucose tolerance. Experimental studies have suggested that ghrelin and obestatin play a role in glucose homeostasis and in the regulation of energy metabolism. However, few studies have been performed on the role of ghrelin and obestatin in middle-aged and old adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we investigated the plasma concentrations of ghrelin and obestatin in middle-aged (41-64 years) and old (65-76 years) subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (NDD) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). We also characterized the relationship among plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels and glucose/lipid metabolism. The fasting plasma ghrelin and obestatin concentrations were analyzed using enzyme immunoassay method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma obestatin concentrations in diabetic subjects were significantly lower than those in NGT subjects. Plasma ghrelin were negatively associated with fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, plasma obestatin level was correlated negatively with systolic blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis indicated that UACR was a significantly independent predictor of fasting plasma ghrelin levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collectively, ghrelin and obestatin levels may be markers reflecting glucose and lipid conditions in NDD. The lower ghrelin levels may be a potential indicator for renal dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology (XM, YaZ, QW, LW, ZW, XM, GR, YiZ, ZL, GQ), The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism (JL, YB, GN), Rui-Jin Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yanyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qingzhu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zhimin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaokun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Gaofei
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Yinghui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhizhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jieli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yufang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Guijun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D054439:Ghrelin; C505799:obestatin, human; D003404:Creatinine