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Active and total ghrelin concentrations in the newborn
Piero Pirazzoli1, Marcello Lanari, Stefano Zucchini
1Department of Pediatrics, Center for Applied Biomedical Research, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. pira@alma.unibo.it
Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|April 23, 2005
Summary
This study found no significant link between active or total ghrelin levels and common growth indicators or hormones in newborns. Ghrelin
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neonatal Physiology
- Peptide Hormone Research
Background:
- Ghrelin is a peptide hormone known for stimulating growth hormone (GH) release and metabolic functions.
- Biological activity of ghrelin requires acyl modification; both acylated and desacylated forms circulate in blood.
- Limited data exist on the ratio of active to total ghrelin during early life stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential physiological roles of ghrelin during fetal development.
- To investigate the relationship between ghrelin forms and neonatal anthropometric and hormonal parameters.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), and leptin in cord plasma from 98 healthy newborns.
- Quantification of acylated ghrelin and total ghrelin (sum of acylated and desacylated forms) using specific radioimmunoassays.
Main Results:
- No significant correlations were observed between acylated or total ghrelin and birth weight, gestational age, BMI, head circumference, or birth length.
- Plasma concentrations of GH and leptin in cord blood also showed no correlation with either active or total ghrelin levels.
Conclusions:
- The study did not establish a clear physiological role for ghrelin in prenatal life.
- The lack of significant correlations suggests ghrelin may not be a primary regulator of fetal growth or metabolism as measured by these parameters.