Effect of oral glucose administration on ghrelin levels in obese children

Leandro Soriano-Guillén1, Vicente Barrios, Gabriel Martos

  • 1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Laboratory of Research, Universidad Autónoma, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Avda. Menéndez Pelayo 65, E-28009 Madrid, Spain.

Insights

Plasma ghrelin levels significantly decrease in obese children after consuming glucose, indicating a potential appetite control mechanism post-meal. This study investigated ghrelin

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatric Metabolism
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Ghrelin and its receptor are present in the pancreas, suggesting a role in glucose metabolism.
  • Studies in adults show decreased plasma ghrelin after oral glucose, but data in children are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the plasma ghrelin response in obese children following oral glucose administration.
  • To explore the relationship between ghrelin, glucose, and insulin levels in pediatric obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-eight obese children (Tanner stages I-V) underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
  • Plasma ghrelin, insulin, glucose, and IGF-binding-protein-1 were measured at 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes.
  • A glucose load of 0.75 g/kg (max 75 g) was administered after overnight fasting.

Main Results:

  • Obese children exhibited lower basal plasma ghrelin levels compared to controls.
  • Plasma ghrelin levels significantly decreased during the OGTT in obese children.
  • Ghrelin levels reached a nadir at 60 minutes, coinciding with peak glucose levels and preceding peak insulin levels.

Conclusions:

  • The rapid decline in plasma ghrelin after a glucose load in obese children suggests a role in appetite regulation post-ingestion.
  • This finding highlights a potential mechanism for controlling appetite following food intake in pediatric obesity.
Abstract

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