Suppression of acylated ghrelin during oral glucose tolerance test is correlated with whole body insulin sensitivity in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Paik KH, Choe YH, Park WH, Oh YJ, Kim AH, Chu SH, Kim SW, Kwon EK, Han SJ, Shon WY, Jin DK.

Department of Pediatrics (K.H.P, Y.H.C., E.K.K., W.Y.S., D.-K.J.), Department of Orthopedic Sports Medicine (W.H.P), Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul; Clinical Research Center (Y.J.O., A.H.K., S.H.C, S.W.K., S.J.H), Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea.

Summary by Jamie H. Bassel, D.C., P.C.

Ghrelin is a hormone that is produced by cells lining the stomach and fuels the appetite.  Ghrelin levels are typically increased before a meal and decreased after a meal. It is considered the counterpart of the hormone leptin, produced by fatty tissue, which induces satiation when present at higher levels. Ghrelin also stimulates the secretion of Growth Hormone.  The researchers focused this study on the following premise that diminished fasting ghrelin levels and reduced control of ghrelin have been established in children who are overweight and linked with insulin resistance.  In PWS individuals, Ghrelin levels have been demonstrated to be increased in conjunction with circulating insulin levels.  The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of ghrelin in two forms, acelated ghrelin (AG) and de-acylated ghrelin (DAG), following ingestion of glucose to establish the relationship between ghrelin control and insulin sensitivity.   Results demonstrated AG levels dropped significantly when compared to fasting levels in PWS children when compared to the non-PWS obese population at various testing intervals of 30, 60, 90, and 120 after ingesting glucose.  Furthermore DAG levels remained unaffected in either group.  The whole body insulin sensitivity index was proportional to the fasting AG and DAG in the PWS population.  There was also an observed reduction in AG and its relation with whole body insulin sensitivity 30 minutes post-ingestion of glucose in the PWS population.  In conclusion the study suggests that specifically regulated by insulin levels and its regulation is related to insulin sensitivity in PWS children. 

Abstract - click here

edited: 03/23/2010