title: Fasting total ghrelin levels are increased in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A control study was designed to investigate circulating Ghrelin levels in adolescent girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and controls. Eating behavioral disorders, endocrine disorders, abnormal growth pattern and osteopenia have been well documented in AIS. Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone produced by the stomach which reflects body weight changes and stimulates growth hormone secretion. Recently, it has been shown to be associated with bone metabolism and eating behavior. However, the circulating levels of ghrelin have never been evaluated in AIS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty nine AIS girls and 15 controls were included. Anthropometric parameters and fasting circulating total ghrelin were measured. Curve severity was evaluated in AIS girls. The relationships between ghrelin and age, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-score and corrected anthropometric parameters were analyzed in AIS girls and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in body weight, height, BMI or BMI Z-score between AIS and controls. Serum ghrelin level was 1.8 fold higher in AIS girls than in controls. Elevation of ghrelin levels remained significant when corrected BMI or corrected BMI Z-score were considered. Unlike in controls, positive correlations were found between ghrelin and age in AIS girls with a gradual increase of circulating ghrelin with age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have observed significantly higher circulating ghrelin levels in AIS than in controls with a positive correlation with age. This pilot-study suggests that ghrelin signaling might play a role in the initiation or development of AIS. Further studies are needed to validate theses results.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopaedics Unit, Children Hospital, CHU de Toulouse, France ; Biomechanics Laboratory, Paul-Sabatier University, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sales de Gauzy
authors.affiliation: INSERM Unit 1043, Physiopathology Center of Toulouse Purpan (CTPT), Paul-Sabatier University, Toulouse, France ; Biochemistry Laboratory, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, University Hospital Center, CHU de Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gennero
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Laboratory, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, University Hospital Center, CHU de Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Delrous
authors.affiliation: INSERM Unit 1043, Physiopathology Center of Toulouse Purpan (CTPT), Paul-Sabatier University, Toulouse, France ; Endocrine and Bone Diseases Unit, Children Hospital, University Hospital Center, CHU de Toulouse, France ; Pediatric Clinical Investigation Center, Children Hospital, University Hospital Center, CHU de Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Salles
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University Hospital Center, Paul-Sabatier University, CHU de Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lepage
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopaedics Unit, Children Hospital, CHU de Toulouse, France ; Biomechanics Laboratory, Paul-Sabatier University, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Accadbled
keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS); Ghrelin; Girl; Hormone; Spine