help button home button Endocrine Society JCEM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Purnell, J. Q.
Right arrow Articles by Cummings, D. E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Purnell, J. Q.
Right arrow Articles by Cummings, D. E.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 88, No. 12 5747-5752
Copyright © 2003 by The Endocrine Society

Ghrelin Levels Correlate with Insulin Levels, Insulin Resistance, and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, But Not with Gender, Menopausal Status, or Cortisol Levels in Humans

Jonathan Q. Purnell, David S. Weigle, Patricia Breen and David E. Cummings

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition (J.Q.P.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201; and University of Washington (D.S.W., P.B., D.E.C.), Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98108

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Jonathan Q. Purnell, M.D., Oregon Health & Science University, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition, L607, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97201. E-mail: purnellj{at}ohsu.edu.


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Subjects and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
The gut peptide, ghrelin, may participate in the control of energy homeostasis and pituitary hormone secretion in humans, stimulating both food intake and, at pharmacological doses, ACTH and cortisol secretion. Meal consumption and weight loss regulate ghrelin levels, but less is known about the relationship of ghrelin to body composition, aging, menopausal status, and lipid metabolism. Therefore, 60 adult men and women of widely varying ages and weights were characterized in terms of body composition and levels of ghrelin, glucose, insulin, lipids, and cortisol. Fasting ghrelin levels correlated positively with age and negatively with BMI and fat cell size, but were not related to fat mass, intraabdominal fat, or lean mass. Fasting ghrelin levels correlated most strongly with insulin levels (r = -0.39; P = 0.002), insulin resistance as determined by the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (r = 0.38; P = 0.003), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = 0.33; P = 0.009). Meal-induced ghrelin suppression correlated with the postprandial rise in insulin (r = 0.39; P < 0.05). Ghrelin levels were similar in men and women and did not vary by menopausal status or in association with cortisol levels. Our data are consistent with the hypotheses that insulin may negatively regulate ghrelin and that high-density lipoprotein may be a carrier particle for circulating ghrelin.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Subjects and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
GHRELIN IS UNIQUE among gut-derived peptides in its actions on pituitary hormone secretion and energy homeostasis. Discovered as a GH secretagogue receptor ligand, in pharmacological amounts it stimulates secretion of GH, ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin (1, 2, 3). Under physiological conditions, however, it is controversial whether ghrelin affects GH secretion (4, 5), and no studies have reported the relationship between daily ghrelin and cortisol levels.

Unlike other gut peptides, which are secreted in response to meals and contribute to postprandial satiety, ghrelin levels increase before meals, stimulate appetite, and decrease after food intake (6, 7, 8). In addition to having a potential role in meal initiation (7), ghrelin may function as an adiposity signal that contributes to weight regain in postobese subjects, as evidenced by the increase in circulating ghrelin levels that accompanies voluntary or disease-induced weight loss (6, 9, 10, 11).

Several studies have reported the relationships between overnight fasting ghrelin levels and parameters of body weight and glucose metabolism. Ghrelin secretion throughout the day is, however, highly variable, and it is important to establish that one time point accurately reflects daily ghrelin exposure. Also, if ghrelin functions as a long-term adiposity signal, the parameter(s) reflecting body composition—either directly (body fat amount or distribution) or indirectly (glucose or lipid metabolism)—that explain variations in ghrelin levels among individuals are unknown. In this study, we examine the associations between ghrelin levels and these parameters, including body composition, fat distribution, age, leptin, insulin, insulin sensitivity, lipids, and hormonal status in women. In addition, 24-h profiles of ghrelin and cortisol levels were compared to determine whether physiological variations in ghrelin levels are associated with similar changes in cortisol levels, as suggested by the observation that ghrelin stimulates ACTH and cortisol secretion in humans.


    Subjects and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Subjects and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Experimental subjects

Subjects were recruited using local newspaper and campus advertising. All were at least 18 yr old and had stable body weight for at least 3 months. Exclusion criteria included chronic medical or psychiatric illness, pregnancy, tobacco use, substance abuse, alcohol consumption of more than two drinks per day, and aerobic exercise greater than 30 min three times per week. The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the University of Washington (UW) Human Subjects Review Committees approved all procedures and protocols, and written informed consent was obtained before enrollment.

Subjects were admitted to the University of Washington General Clinical Research Center after an overnight fast. An iv catheter was placed for blood drawing, and after a 15-min rest period, baseline blood samples were withdrawn for lipid measurements and post-heparin (60 U/kg) lipase activity. After these studies, beginning at 0800 h, blood was collected into EDTA-containing tubes every 30 min until 2100 h, then hourly until 0800 h the next morning (24-h total). Samples were stored at 4 C during the collection period, after which plasma was stored at -80 C. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served at 0800, 1200, and 1730 h, respectively.

Lipids and post-heparin lipase activities

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were determined by standardized methods at the Northwest Lipid Research Laboratories (12). Low- density lipoprotein (LDL) buoyancy (relative floatation rate or Rf) was determined by nonequilibrium density gradient ultracentrifugation as previously described (13). Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activities were determined as previously described (14). The intraassay coefficients of variation of this assay are 7% for LPL and 6% for HL; the interassay coefficients of variation are 8% for LPL and 10% for HL.

Body composition

Body composition was quantified in 54 subjects by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan. Intraabdominal fat (IAF) and sc fat (SQF) were quantified by a single, blinded observer in 39 subjects using a single CT scan image obtained at the level of the umbilicus (15). Fat-cell volume (microliters of triglyceride per cell) was calculated using Goldrick’s equation (16) from the measured diameters of 400 adipocytes taken from an aspiration fat biopsy of the posterior-superior iliac crest region.

Plasma chemistries

Insulin levels were determined in duplicate using a modification of a double-antibody RIA (17), and glucose concentrations were determined in triplicate using the glucose oxidase method. Immunoreactive ghrelin levels were assessed in duplicate with a commercial RIA that recognizes both acylated and des-acyl forms (Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, Belmont, CA). Although only acylated ghrelin is bioactive (18), levels of total ghrelin are a good surrogate for those of acylated ghrelin because the ratio of the two remains constant under a wide variety of conditions (19, 20). Leptin was measured using a commercial RIA (Linco Research, St. Charles, MO). Cortisol levels were measured in duplicate by the OHSU General Clinical Research Center Core Laboratory using a two-site chemiluminescent assay (Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, CA). Assay sensitivity was 0.8 mg/dl, and the intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were less than 8% for the cortisol levels measured in the study.

Statistical analysis

AUC (area under the curve) was calculated using the trapezoidal method. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI = 1/{log(fasting insulin) + log(fasting glucose)}] (21). Triglyceride and QUICKI results were log-transformed before statistical testing. Comparisons between groups were analyzed using the t test when data followed normal distributions or by a rank sum test (Mann-Whitney U test) if data were not normally distributed. One-way ANOVA was used to test for significant differences among more than two groups. Linear relationships between variables were tested by correlational analysis (Pearson Product Moment) and linear regression.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Subjects and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
In this study group, the ranges of body mass index (BMI; 20 to 64 kg/m2) and age (19 to 64 yr) were large, allowing us to test the relationships between ghrelin levels and variables associated with BMI and age over a wide, dynamic range (Table 1Go).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 1. Baseline subject characteristics (n = 60 except where noted)

 
0800 h ghrelin as a surrogate for 24-h AUC levels

In the subset of subjects (n = 31) who underwent 24-h blood sampling, 0800 h ghrelin level correlated strongly with daily AUC ghrelin (r = 0.89; P < 0.001) (Fig. 1Go). Because of this high degree of correlation, 0800 h ghrelin levels available from the entire cohort were used in the analyses below.



View larger version (16K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIG. 1. Regression analysis of 0800 h fasting plasma ghrelin levels and 24-h ghrelin AUC in 31 subjects (r = 0.89; P < 0.001). To convert ghrelin levels to picomoles/liter, multiply by 0.296.

 
Ghrelin, age, and body composition

Ghrelin levels correlated positively with age and negatively with body weight and BMI (Table 2Go and Fig. 2Go). Of the measured parameters of body composition, ghrelin levels correlated negatively with the amount of SQF and fat-cell size, but did not significantly correlate with percentage fat, fat mass, lean mass, IAF, or leptin levels (Table 2Go and Fig. 2Go).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 2. Correlation analysis of 0800 h fasting plasma ghrelin levels with measures of body composition and leptin

 


View larger version (32K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIG. 2. Regression analysis of 0800 h fasting plasma ghrelin with parameters of body composition and metabolism. See Tables 2Go and 3Go for explanation of abbreviations, r-values, and significance. To convert ghrelin levels to picomoles/liter, multiply by 0.296. To convert insulin levels to picomoles/liter, multiply by 6.0. To convert HDL cholesterol levels to millimoles/liter, multiply by 0.02586.

 
Ghrelin, lipids, and insulin

Ghrelin levels correlated negatively with fasting insulin levels and positively with the insulin sensitivity estimated by QUICKI (Table 3Go and Fig. 2Go). The relationship between the meal-related stimulation of insulin and suppression of ghrelin was also tested in 16 subjects in whom levels of both hormones were available for analysis (Fig. 3Go). Using data from timed samples beginning 30 min before each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and continuing for 2 h after the meal, the postmeal rise (nadir to peak) in insulin was associated with the fall (peak to nadir) in ghrelin levels (r = 0.39; P < 0.05). The 2-h postmeal cut-off was chosen for this analysis because previous studies have shown maximal suppression for ghrelin to occur within this time frame (7, 11).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 3. Correlation analysis of 0800 h fasting plasma ghrelin levels with blood lipids measurements

 


View larger version (18K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIG. 3. Regression analysis of change of ghrelin and change of insulin within 2 h of each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from 16 subjects (r = 0.39; P < 0.05). To convert ghrelin levels to picomoles/liter, multiply by 0.296. To convert insulin levels to picomoles/liter, multiply by 6.0.

 
Ghrelin levels also correlated positively with total high-density lipoprotein (HDL), HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol, and with LDL peak particle buoyancy (less dense particles) (Table 3Go and Fig. 2Go). An inverse association between ghrelin levels and HL activity reached borderline significance (P = 0.07).

Multiple linear regression analysis

Because many of these parameters correlate with one another (e.g. BMI, SQF, insulin levels, etc.), multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine independent associations with ghrelin levels. Including the variables from correlational analysis that were significantly associated with 0800 h ghrelin levels explained 32% of the variance in ghrelin levels (Table 4Go). None of the variables, however, were independently associated with 0800 h ghrelin.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 4. Multiple linear regression analysis of relationship between fasting ghrelin levels and variables of body composition and metabolism

 
Analyzing smaller sets of variables by multiple linear regression, HDL cholesterol and insulin levels were associated with ghrelin levels independently of one another (ghrelin vs. HDL, standard coefficient = 0.25; P < 0.05; ghrelin vs. peak insulin, standard coefficient = -0.32; P < 0.05), as were HDL cholesterol and BMI (ghrelin vs. HDL, standard coefficient = 0.28; P < 0.05; ghrelin vs. BMI, standard coefficient = -0.26; P < 0.05). Age, however, was not independent of HDL cholesterol in its association with ghrelin levels; and BMI was no longer independently associated with ghrelin levels when either insulin level or insulin resistance was included as an independent variable (data not shown). Because HDL cholesterol levels correlate with LDL buoyancy, the independent relationship of these variables with ghrelin levels was also tested. A separate, significant association of LDL buoyancy with fasting ghrelin was not found when HDL cholesterol was included as an independent variable (ghrelin vs. peak LDL buoyancy, standard coefficient = 0.23; P = 0.08).

Ghrelin, gender, and menopausal status

Compared with men, women had higher percentage body fat (mean ± SD, 43 ± 7 vs. 28 ± 12%, women vs. men; P < 0.001) and HDL cholesterol levels (48 ± 11 vs. 40 ± 11 mg/dl, women vs. men; P = 0.001), whereas no significant differences between genders were found for age (45 ± 12 vs. 41 ± 11, females vs. males; P = 0.17), BMI (31 ± 6 vs. 35 ± 11 kg/m2; P = 0.21), insulin (15 ± 7 vs. 15 ± 10 µU/ml; P = 0.98), insulin sensitivity by QUICKI (0.33 ± 3 vs. 0.34 ± 5; P = 0.24), and ghrelin (417 ± 247 vs. 362 ± 290; P = 0.19). After adjustment for gender-based differences in HDL cholesterol levels, ghrelin levels agreed even more closely between women and men (394 ± 223 vs. 404 ± 290; P = 0.89). Ghrelin levels were not different among the 19 premenopausal (382 ± 218 pg/ml), the nine postmenopausal women (440 ± 317 pg/ml), and the 11 postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy (458 ± 249 pg/ml) (P = 0.70 by one-way ANOVA).

Ghrelin and 24-h cortisol levels

Fasting 0800 h ghrelin levels were not associated with 24-h AUC cortisol levels (r = 0.14; P = 0.28), and no apparent relationship could be demonstrated between the 24-h profiles of these two hormones, with ghrelin levels showing meal-related suppression, whereas cortisol levels followed a typical circadian pattern (Fig. 4Go).



View larger version (24K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIG. 4. Levels over 24 h of cortisol (open circles) and ghrelin (filled circles) (mean ± SE) in 31 subjects. To convert to picomoles/liter, multiply by 0.296. To convert cortisol levels to nanomoles/liter, multiply by 27.59.

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Subjects and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
The present study examines the relationships of circulating ghrelin levels to body composition and parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism. It also examines whether physiological changes in ghrelin levels are associated with cortisol levels, as suggested by studies in which pharmacological doses of ghrelin stimulate ACTH and cortisol secretion.

Published studies of ghrelin levels have relied primarily on single samples obtained after an overnight fast. However, ghrelin levels are strongly affected by food consumption and are quite variable during the day; therefore, a single fasting morning ghrelin level needs to be validated before it is used as a surrogate for the total daily exposure to ghrelin. We have previously shown that a single fasting blood sample taken at 0600 h or at the time of a postmeal trough correlated well with AUC ghrelin in a small number of subjects (n = 10) (7). However, 0800 h is a more common time for sampling in many studies. In the present study, therefore, we increased the number of subjects examined, included lean and obese individuals, and found that a single fasting 0800 h ghrelin level correlated well with the 24-h AUC value (r = 0.89; P < 0.001).

Using this 0800 h ghrelin level and detailed subject phenotyping, we confirmed previous findings of significant inverse relationships between ghrelin levels and both BMI (22) and fat-cell size (23), and also found a similar relationship between ghrelin and SQF. We found no relationship of ghrelin to percentage body fat, total fat mass, lean mass, IAF, or leptin levels. On multiple linear regression analysis, the significant inverse relationships between ghrelin and fat-cell size or SQF were not found to be independent of BMI. Therefore, our data suggest that of the multiple parameters of body composition studied, ghrelin levels best reflect body weight rather than specific amounts of fat or body fat distribution.

It is not known what mechanism causes ghrelin levels to reflect body weight and to be regulated in the manner of an adiposity signal, as suggested by studies in which ghrelin levels rise after diet-induced weight loss (11). Candidate regulators that are highly associated with body weight include several parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism. In the present study, ghrelin levels correlated with insulin (negatively), insulin sensitivity (positively), HDL cholesterol (positively), and LDL peak particle buoyancy (positively). In nondiabetic individuals, lower insulin levels often reflect greater insulin sensitivity, and given the cross-sectional design of the present study, the relative or independent contribution of these insulin measurements to ghrelin levels cannot be determined. Insulin, however, has been shown to play a role in the long-term regulation of body adiposity (24). In conjunction with prior observations implicating insulin in the regulation of ghrelin (25), the present findings identify insulin as a leading candidate for a long-term mediator of ghrelin responses to weight change.

Our data also show an association between the acute, meal-related increase in insulin levels with the decrease in ghrelin levels. Our data are cross-sectional, however, and do not establish a causative role for physiological meal-related insulin secretion to suppress ghrelin. Although studies using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps have demonstrated that ghrelin levels are suppressed during insulin infusions (25, 26, 27), other meal-related hormones are associated with ghrelin suppression, including glucagon-like peptide 1 (28). Therefore, the precise role of insulin in the suppression of ghrelin during nutrient ingestion in humans has yet to be established.

HDL cholesterol may seem an unlikely variable to be associated with ghrelin levels, but a recent study demonstrated that ghrelin binds to HDL particles and is found concentrated in HDL-containing lipid fractions from human plasma (29). Although the assay used in the present study measures total ghrelin (bound, unbound, acylated, and desacylated), the finding of a positive association of ghrelin levels and HDL cholesterol supports the possible role of HDL particles as circulating transporters of ghrelin (29). The known associations between HDL cholesterol, LDL buoyancy, and HL activity most likely explain the additional findings in the present study of a significant correlation between ghrelin and LDL peak particle density and the borderline significant correlation with HL activity. Therefore, studies in which an intervention is shown to affect ghrelin levels should include measurements of insulin, insulin sensitivity, and HDL cholesterol, to exclude the possibility that changes in these variables independently influenced ghrelin levels.

Examples of the confounding effect of these associations can be found in the relationships we report here between ghrelin, aging, and BMI. In the present data set, aging was not associated with body weight, insulin, or insulin sensitivity; but it was significantly (positively) correlated with HDL cholesterol. On multiple linear regression with HDL cholesterol included, age was no longer independently associated with ghrelin levels. Likewise, previous studies have reported that ghrelin levels are associated with BMI, insulin, and insulin resistance (23, 30), but did not study the independence of these variables to predict ghrelin levels. In our study, BMI was not independently associated with ghrelin levels after including insulin levels or insulin sensitivity in multiple linear regression analyses. These findings further support the hypothesis that insulin signaling may mediate the relationship between BMI and ghrelin levels.

We confirm previous reports showing no difference in ghrelin levels between men and women (22). Adjustment for gender-based HDL cholesterol differences further diminished any small difference between sexes. This lack of difference in ghrelin levels between men and women supports our conclusion that ghrelin levels vary as a function of body weight rather than percentage fat, because the women in our study had significantly higher percentage body fat than did the men. We also report here for the first time that ghrelin levels are not different in women according to menopausal or hormone-replacement status, a finding that suggests ghrelin levels are not physiologically regulated by estrogen in women.

Finally, based on studies demonstrating that pharmacological doses of ghrelin stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in humans (1, 2), we sought to determine whether physiological changes in ghrelin levels during the day varied with, or predicted, measured cortisol levels. We found, however, that daily ghrelin and cortisol (either in total amount by AUC or secretion patterns) were not apparently related.

By performing more extensive phenotyping of body composition and parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism in a single cohort, we sought to characterize better those variables that best predict ghrelin levels. Ghrelin levels are inversely related to BMI but do not correlate with body composition or abdominal fat distribution as measured by computed tomography. Independent relationships between ghrelin, insulin, and HDL, however, explain the univariate associations between ghrelin, BMI, and age. Insulin signaling is a leading candidate mechanism governing the inverse relationship between body weight and ghrelin. Gender, postmenopausal status (including hormonal replacement), and changes in cortisol levels within the physiological range do not appear to influence ghrelin levels in humans. Studies of ghrelin levels should include measurements of insulin and HDL cholesterol to avoid confounding effects of changes in these variables on ghrelin levels.


    Acknowledgments
 
We gratefully acknowledge the laboratory assistance of Alegria Albers and Dr. John Brunzell in measuring the post-heparin lipase activities.


    Footnotes
 
This work was supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant K23 DK02689 (to J.Q.P.), NIH General Clinical Research Center Grants MO1RR00037 and M01RR00334, NIH Grants RO1 DK55460 and K24 DK02860 (to D.S.W.), a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant 80-1519 (to D.E.C.), R01 DK 61516 (to D.E.C.), NIH P3ODK17047 (Diabetes Endocrine Research Center grant), and by the Medical Research Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Abbreviations: AUC, Area under the curve; BMI, body mass index; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HL, hepatic lipase; IAF, intra-abdominal fat; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; LPL, lipoprotein lipase; QUICKI, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index; SQF, sc fat.

Received March 25, 2003.

Accepted August 28, 2003.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Subjects and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Takaya K, Ariyasu H, Kanamoto N, Iwakura H, Yoshimoto A, Harada M, Mori K, Komatsu Y, Usui T, Shimatsu A, Ogawa Y, Hosoda K, Akamizu T, Kojima M, Kangawa K, Nakao K 2000 Ghrelin strongly stimulates growth hormone release in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 85:4908–4911[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  2. Arvat E, Maccario M, Di Vito L, Broglio F, Benso A, Gottero C, Papotti M, Muccioli G, Dieguez C, Casanueva FF, Deghenghi R, Camanni F, Ghigo E 2001 Endocrine activities of ghrelin, a natural growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), in humans: comparison and interactions with hexarelin, a nonnatural peptidyl GHS, and GH-releasing hormone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86:1169–1174[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  3. Hataya Y, Akamizu T, Takaya K, Kanamoto N, Ariyasu H, Saijo M, Moriyama K, Shimatsu A, Kojima M, Kangawa K, Nakao K 2001 A low dose of ghrelin stimulates growth hormone (GH) release synergistically with GH-releasing hormone in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86:4552[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Muller AF, Lamberts SW, Janssen JA, Hofland LJ, Koetsveld PV, Bidlingmaier M, Strasburger CJ, Ghigo E, Van der Lely AJ 2002 Ghrelin drives GH secretion during fasting in man. Eur J Endocrinol 146:203–207[Abstract]
  5. Lindeman JH, Pijl H, Van Dielen FM, Lentjes EG, Van Leuven C, Kooistra T 2002 Ghrelin and the hyposomatotropism of obesity. Obes Res 10:1161–1166[Medline]
  6. Ariyasu H, Takaya K, Tagami T, Ogawa Y, Hosoda K, Akamizu T, Suda M, Koh T, Natsui K, Toyooka S, Shirakami G, Usui T, Shimatsu A, Doi K, Hosoda H, Kojima M, Kangawa K, Nakao K 2001 Stomach is a major source of circulating ghrelin, and feeding state determines plasma ghrelin-like immunoreactivity levels in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86:4753–4758[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. Cummings DE, Purnell JQ, Frayo RS, Schmidova K, Wisse BE, Weigle DS 2001 A preprandial rise in plasma ghrelin levels suggests a role in meal initiation in humans. Diabetes 50:1714–1719[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  8. Wren AM, Seal LJ, Cohen MA, Brynes AE, Frost GS, Murphy KG, Dhillo WS, Ghatei MA, Bloom SR 2001 Ghrelin enhances appetite and increases food intake in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86:5992[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  9. Nagaya N, Uematsu M, Kojima M, Date Y, Nakazato M, Okumura H, Hosoda H, Shimizu W, Yamagishi M, Oya H, Koh H, Yutani C, Kangawa K 2001 Elevated circulating level of ghrelin in cachexia associated with chronic heart failure: relationships between ghrelin and anabolic/catabolic factors. Circulation 104:2034–2038[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  10. Hansen TK, Dall R, Hosoda H, Kojima M, Kangawa K, Christiansen JS, Jorgensen JO 2002 Weight loss increases circulating levels of ghrelin in human obesity. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 56:203–206[CrossRef][Medline]
  11. Cummings DE, Weigle DS, Frayo RS, Breen PA, Ma MK, Dellinger EP, Purnell JQ 2002 Plasma ghrelin levels after diet-induced weight loss or gastric bypass surgery. N Engl J Med 346:1623–1630[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  12. Warnick GR 1986 Enzymatic methods for quantification of lipoprotein lipids. Methods Enzymol 129:101–123[Medline]
  13. Auwerx JH, Marzetta CA, Hokanson JE, Brunzell JD 1989 Large buoyant LDL-like particles in hepatic lipase deficiency. Arteriosclerosis 9:319–325[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  14. Iverius PH, Burnzell JD 1985 Human adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase: changes with feeding and relation to postheparin plasma. Am J Physiol 249:E107–E114
  15. Shuman WP, Morris LL, Leonetti DL, Wahl PW, Moceri VM, Moss AA, Fujimoto WY 1986 Abnormal body fat distribution detected by computed tomography in diabetic men. Invest Radiol 21:483–487[Medline]
  16. Goldrick RB 1967 Morphological changes in the adipocyte during fat deposition and mobilization. Am J Physiol 212:777–782[Free Full Text]
  17. Morgan CR 1963 Immunoassay of insulin: two antibody systems. Diabetes 35:362–369
  18. Kojima M, Hosoda H, Date Y, Nakazato M, Matsuo H, Kangawa K 1999 Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach. Nature 402:656–660[CrossRef][Medline]
  19. Ariyasu H, Takaya K, Hosoda H, Iwakura H, Ebihara K, Mori K, Ogawa Y, Hosoda K, Akamizu T, Kojima M, Kangawa K, Nakao K 2002 Delayed short-term secretory regulation of ghrelin in obese animals: evidenced by a specific RIA for the active form of ghrelin. Endocrinology 143:3341–3350[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  20. Murakami N, Hayashida T, Kuroiwa T, Nakahara K, Ida T, Mondal MS, Nakazato M, Kojima M, Kangawa K 2002 Role for central ghrelin in food intake and secretion profile of stomach ghrelin in rats. J Endocrinol 174:283–288[Abstract]
  21. Katz A, Nambi SS, Mather K, Baron AD, Follmann DA, Sullivan G, Quon MJ 2000 Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index: a simple, accurate method for assessing insulin sensitivity in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 85:2402–2410[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Tschop M, Weyer C, Tataranni PA, Devanarayan V, Ravussin E, Heiman ML 2001 Circulating ghrelin levels are decreased in human obesity. Diabetes 50:707–709[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  23. Ravussin E, Tschop M, Morales S, Bouchard C, Heiman ML 2001 Plasma ghrelin concentration and energy balance: overfeeding and negative energy balance studies in twins. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86:4547–4551[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  24. Porte D, Woods SC 1981 Regulation of food intake and body weight by insulin. Diabetologia 20:274–280
  25. Saad MF, Bernaba B, Hwu CM, Jinagouda S, Fahmi S, Kogosov E, Boyadjian R 2002 Insulin regulates plasma ghrelin concentration. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:3997–4000[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  26. Schaller G, Schmidt A, Pleiner J, Woloszczuk W, Wolzt M, Luger A 2003 Plasma ghrelin concentrations are not regulated by glucose or insulin: a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover clamp study. Diabetes 52:16–20[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  27. Anderwald C, Brabant G, Bernroider E, Horn R, Brehm A, Waldhausl W, Roden M 2003 Insulin-dependent modulation of plasma ghrelin and leptin concentrations is less pronounced in type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetes 52:1792–1798[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  28. Djurhuus CB, Hansen TK, Gravholt C, Orskov L, Hosoda H, Kangawa K, Jorgensen JO, Holst JJ, Schmitz O 2002 Circulating levels of ghrelin and GLP-1 are inversely related during glucose ingestion. Horm Metab Res 34:411–413[CrossRef][Medline]
  29. Beaumont NJ, Skinner VO, Tan TM, Ramesh BS, Byrne DJ, MacColl GS, Keen JN, Bouloux PM, Mikhailidis DP, Bruckdorfer KR, Vanderpump MP, Srai KS 2003 Ghrelin can bind to a species of high density lipoprotein associated with paraoxonase. J Biol Chem 278:8877–8880[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  30. Ikezaki A, Hosoda H, Ito K, Iwama S, Miura N, Matsuoka H, Kondo C, Kojima M, Kangawa K, Sugihara S 2002 Fasting plasma ghrelin levels are negatively correlated with insulin resistance and PAI-1, but not with leptin, in obese children and adolescents. Diabetes 51:3408–3411[Abstract/Free Full Text]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Eur J EndocrinolHome page
L. Pacifico, E. Poggiogalle, F. Costantino, C. Anania, F. Ferraro, F. Chiarelli, and C. Chiesa
Acylated and nonacylated ghrelin levels and their associations with insulin resistance in obese and normal weight children with metabolic syndrome
Eur. J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2009; 161(6): 861 - 870.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Ann Clin BiochemHome page
E Holmes, I Davies, G Lowe, and L R Ranganath
Circulating ghrelin exists in both lipoprotein bound and free forms
Ann Clin Biochem, November 1, 2009; 46(6): 514 - 516.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Rheumatology (Oxford)Home page
M. Al, L. Ng, P. Tyrrell, J. Bargman, T. Bradley, and E. Silverman
Adipokines as novel biomarkers in paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatology, May 1, 2009; 48(5): 497 - 501.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur J EndocrinolHome page
E Sondergaard, L C Gormsen, B Nellemann, E T Vestergaard, J S Christiansen, and S Nielsen
Visceral fat mass is a strong predictor of circulating ghrelin levels in premenopausal women
Eur. J. Endocrinol., March 1, 2009; 160(3): 375 - 379.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Acta Biochim Biophys SinHome page
X. Yin, Y. Li, G. Xu, W. An, and W. Zhang
Ghrelin fluctuation, what determines its production?
Acta Biochim Biophys Sin, March 1, 2009; 41(3): 188 - 197.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
R. C. Paulo, R. Brundage, M. Cosma, K. L. Mielke, C. Y. Bowers, and J. D. Veldhuis
Estrogen Elevates the Peak Overnight Production Rate of Acylated Ghrelin
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2008; 93(11): 4440 - 4447.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur J EndocrinolHome page
L. M Ritland, D L. Alekel, O. A Matvienko, K. B Hanson, J. W Stewart, L. N Hanson, M. B Reddy, M. D Van Loan, and U. Genschel
Centrally located body fat is related to appetitive hormones in healthy postmenopausal women.
Eur. J. Endocrinol., June 1, 2008; 158(6): 889 - 897.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur J EndocrinolHome page
U. Mager, M. Kolehmainen, V. D F de Mello, U. Schwab, D. E Laaksonen, R. Rauramaa, H. Gylling, M. Atalay, L. Pulkkinen, and M. Uusitupa
Expression of ghrelin gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma ghrelin concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Eur. J. Endocrinol., April 1, 2008; 158(4): 499 - 510.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
R. Barazzoni, M. Zanetti, C. Ferreira, P. Vinci, A. Pirulli, M. Mucci, F. Dore, M. Fonda, B. Ciocchi, L. Cattin, et al.
Relationships between Desacylated and Acylated Ghrelin and Insulin Sensitivity in the Metabolic Syndrome
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2007; 92(10): 3935 - 3940.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
T. Ando, Y. Ichimaru, F. Konjiki, M. Shoji, and G. Komaki
Variations in the preproghrelin gene correlate with higher body mass index, fat mass, and body dissatisfaction in young Japanese women
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2007; 86(1): 25 - 32.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
C. De Vriese, M. Hacquebard, F. Gregoire, Y. Carpentier, and C. Delporte
Ghrelin Interacts with Human Plasma Lipoproteins
Endocrinology, May 1, 2007; 148(5): 2355 - 2362.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum Mol GenetHome page
A. Baessler, M. Fischer, B. Mayer, M. Koehler, S. Wiedmann, K. Stark, A. Doering, J. Erdmann, G. Riegger, H. Schunkert, et al.
Epistatic interaction between haplotypes of the ghrelin ligand and receptor genes influence susceptibility to myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease
Hum. Mol. Genet., April 15, 2007; 16(8): 887 - 899.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
W. H. Park, Y. J. Oh, G. Y. Kim, S. E. Kim, K.-H. Paik, S. J. Han, A. H. Kim, S. H. Chu, E. K. Kwon, S. W. Kim, et al.
Obestatin Is Not Elevated or Correlated with Insulin in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2007; 92(1): 229 - 234.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
H. J. Choi, Y. M. Cho, M. K. Moon, H. H. Choi, H. D. Shin, H. C. Jang, S. Y. Kim, H. K. Lee, and K. S. Park
Polymorphisms in the Ghrelin Gene Are Associated with Serum High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level and not with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Koreans
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2006; 91(11): 4657 - 4663.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
P. Marzullo, A. Caumo, G. Savia, B. Verti, G. E. Walker, S. Maestrini, A. Tagliaferri, A. M. Di Blasio, and A. Liuzzi
Predictors of Postabsorptive Ghrelin Secretion after Intake of Different Macronutrients
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2006; 91(10): 4124 - 4130.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
S. S. Damjanovic, N. M. Lalic, P. M. Pesko, M. S. Petakov, A. Jotic, D. Miljic, K. S. Lalic, L. Lukic, M. Djurovic, and V. B. Djukic
Acute Effects of Ghrelin on Insulin Secretion and Glucose Disposal Rate in Gastrectomized Patients
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2006; 91(7): 2574 - 2581.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Diabetes CareHome page
C. Langenberg, J. Bergstrom, C. Scheidt-Nave, J. Pfeilschifter, and E. Barrett-Connor
Cardiovascular Death and the Metabolic Syndrome: Role of adiposity-signaling hormones and inflammatory markers.
Diabetes Care, June 1, 2006; 29(6): 1363 - 1369.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
S. Gruendel, A. L. Garcia, B. Otto, C. Mueller, J. Steiniger, M. O. Weickert, M. Speth, N. Katz, and C. Koebnick
Carob Pulp Preparation Rich in Insoluble Dietary Fiber and Polyphenols Enhances Lipid Oxidation and Lowers Postprandial Acylated Ghrelin in Humans
J. Nutr., June 1, 2006; 136(6): 1533 - 1538.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
K. H. Paik, Y. H. Choe, W. H. Park, Y. J. Oh, A. H. Kim, S. H. Chu, S. W. Kim, E. K. Kwon, S. J. Han, W. Y. Shon, et al.
Suppression of Acylated Ghrelin during Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Is Correlated with Whole-Body Insulin Sensitivity in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2006; 91(5): 1876 - 1881.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am J EpidemiolHome page
C. Langenberg, J. Bergstrom, G. A. Laughlin, and E. Barrett-Connor
Ghrelin, Adiponectin, and Leptin Do Not Predict Long-term Changes in Weight and Body Mass Index in Older Adults: Longitudinal Analysis of the Rancho Bernardo Cohort
Am. J. Epidemiol., December 15, 2005; 162(12): 1189 - 1197.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
C. Langenberg, J. Bergstrom, G. A. Laughlin, and E. Barrett-Connor
Ghrelin and the Metabolic Syndrome in Older Adults
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2005; 90(12): 6448 - 6453.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur J EndocrinolHome page
R. Giordano, A. Picu, U. Pagotto, R. De Iasio, L. Bonelli, F. Prodam, F. Broglio, L. Marafetti, R. Pasquali, M. Maccario, et al.
The negative association between total ghrelin levels, body mass and insulin secretion is lost in hypercortisolemic patients with Cushing's disease
Eur. J. Endocrinol., October 1, 2005; 153(4): 535 - 543.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur J EndocrinolHome page
E T Vestergaard, T K Hansen, S Nielsen, N Moller, J S Christiansen, and J O L Jorgensen
Effects of GH replacement therapy in adults on serum levels of leptin and ghrelin: the role of lipolysis
Eur. J. Endocrinol., October 1, 2005; 153(4): 545 - 549.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
L. J. Moran, N. D. Luscombe-Marsh, M. Noakes, G. A. Wittert, J. B. Keogh, and P. M. Clifton
The Satiating Effect of Dietary Protein Is Unrelated to Postprandial Ghrelin Secretion
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2005; 90(9): 5205 - 5211.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
M. Misra, K. K. Miller, K. Kuo, K. Griffin, V. Stewart, E. Hunter, D. B. Herzog, and A. Klibanski
Secretory dynamics of ghrelin in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa and healthy adolescents
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, August 1, 2005; 289(2): E347 - E356.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur J EndocrinolHome page
O. Gimenez-Palop, G. Gimenez-Perez, D. Mauricio, E. Berlanga, N. Potau, C. Vilardell, J. Arroyo, J.-M. Gonzalez-Clemente, and A. Caixas
Circulating ghrelin in thyroid dysfunction is related to insulin resistance and not to hunger, food intake or anthropometric changes
Eur. J. Endocrinol., July 1, 2005; 153(1): 73 - 79.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
A. P. Goldstone, M. Patterson, N. Kalingag, M. A. Ghatei, A. E. Brynes, S. R. Bloom, A. B. Grossman, and M. Korbonits
Fasting and Postprandial Hyperghrelinemia in Prader-Willi Syndrome Is Partially Explained by Hypoinsulinemia, and Is Not Due to Peptide YY3-36 Deficiency or Seen in Hypothalamic Obesity Due to Craniopharyngioma
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2005; 90(5): 2681 - 2690.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
E. Kellokoski, S. M. Poykko, A. H. Karjalainen, O. Ukkola, J. Heikkinen, Y. A. Kesaniemi, and S. Horkko
Estrogen Replacement Therapy Increases Plasma Ghrelin Levels
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2005; 90(5): 2954 - 2963.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
F. Bacha and S. A. Arslanian
Ghrelin Suppression in Overweight Children: A Manifestation of Insulin Resistance?
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2005; 90(5): 2725 - 2730.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DiabetesHome page
J. Erdmann, F. Lippl, S. Wagenpfeil, and V. Schusdziarra
Differential Association of Basal and Postprandial Plasma Ghrelin With Leptin, Insulin, and Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes, May 1, 2005; 54(5): 1371 - 1378.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
U. Espelund, T. K. Hansen, K. Hojlund, H. Beck-Nielsen, J. T. Clausen, B. S. Hansen, H. Orskov, J. O. L. Jorgensen, and J. Frystyk
Fasting Unmasks a Strong Inverse Association between Ghrelin and Cortisol in Serum: Studies in Obese and Normal-Weight Subjects
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2005; 90(2): 741 - 746.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
L. K Heilbronn, S. R Smith, C. K Martin, S. D Anton, and E. Ravussin
Alternate-day fasting in nonobese subjects: effects on body weight, body composition, and energy metabolism
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2005; 81(1): 69 - 73.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
L. Ghizzoni, G. Mastorakos, A. Vottero, M. Ziveri, I. Ilias, and S. Bernasconi
Spontaneous Growth Hormone (GH) Secretion Is Not Directly Affected by Ghrelin in Either Short Normal Prepubertal Children or Children with GH Neurosecretory Dysfunction
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2004; 89(11): 5488 - 5495.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
P. C. Ng, C. H. Lee, C. W. K. Lam, E. Wong, I. H. S. Chan, and T. F. Fok
Plasma Ghrelin and Resistin Concentrations Are Suppressed in Infants of Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Mothers
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2004; 89(11): 5563 - 5568.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
F. Conus, D. B. Allison, R. Rabasa-Lhoret, M. St-Onge, D. H. St-Pierre, A. Tremblay-Lebeau, and E. T. Poehlman
Metabolic and Behavioral Characteristics of Metabolically Obese but Normal-Weight Women
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2004; 89(10): 5013 - 5020.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
G. Marchesini, G. Bianchi, P. Lucidi, N. Villanova, M. Zoli, and P. De Feo
Plasma Ghrelin Concentrations, Food Intake, and Anorexia in Liver Failure
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2004; 89(5): 2136 - 2141.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Purnell, J. Q.
Right arrow Articles by Cummings, D. E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Purnell, J. Q.
Right arrow Articles by Cummings, D. E.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals